Spatial assessment of open defecation in the core area of Akure metropolis, Ondo state, Nigeria.

There have been some approaches in tackling Open defecation both locally and globally, but nevertheless open defecation still exists. This study aimed at spatially assessing the practice of open defecation in the study area which serves as one of the ways towards achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) city. The data used in the study include primary and secondary data. These are; the coordinates of Open Defecation sites, public toilets, markets and schools which was acquired with the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS) and 2020 google earth satellite imagery. The coordinates acquired were plotted in ArcGIS 10.3 software to determine their spatial distribution. Hotspot analysis was applied to examine the level of practice of open defecation in the study area. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation was used to identify the spread of practice of Open Defecation. The result shows that most dump sites has been converted to Open Defecation sites and are found to be very close to places with influx of people such as markets. In addition, the study shows that the existing public toilets are not sufficient and as a result, three new toilets were proposed. Furthermore, the study shows specifically that Araromi, Sabo, Stadium road, Imuagan, Odo Ikoyi, Oja Oshodi, Odo ikoyi, Ijemikin and Ajaye street were the major hotspots where open defecation is practiced in the study area. This study recommends a quick attention on the identified hotspot locations in the study area by the government and agencies working towards Open Defecation Free (ODF) city

Spatial Analysis of Control Points Distribution in Federal University of technology Akure

Context and background As a result of advancement in Technology, the densification of Survey Control Points (SCP) has become very easy. There has been some Survey Control Points (SCP) that were established within the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) campus, Ondo state, Nigeria with no intention for database storage.Goal and Objectives: This study aimed at mapping of control points distribution within the University community. The objectives include to identify and re-coordinate all existing control points in the study area, compare the result statistically and create a database in a mobile application environment.Methodology: Ground survey and Geographic Information System (GIS) methods were adopted in the study. All existing Survey Control Points (SCP) within the study area were re-coordinated with the use of South Differential Global Positioning system (DGPS) in static mode with minimum of thirty-minutes observation per station. The observed data were downloaded and processed using South GPS Processor, AutoCAD 16 and ArcGIS 10.3.1 software. Student’s T-test was used in comparing some existing and the observed coordinates. The coordinates (Northings, Easting and Height), images of Survey Control Points (SCP) location, number and nearest identifying feature gotten from the ArcGIS environment were used in building the mobile application. Also, in the process of developing the mobile application, the following programming languages were used; JavaScript, HTML, CSS and Bootstrap. Notepad++ was used in compiling the codes while IntelXDK platform was used in building, testing and debugging the mobile application.Results: The result reveals that the control points are evenly distributed within the study area. It has also contributed to the quality of geospatial data in the University environment, eliminate duplication of efforts, and provide an effective and efficient means of data accessibility through the creation of a mobile application database. The developed mobile application database is hereby recommended for adoption and update by the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, FUTA.

Measuring Property Flood Resilience (PFR) in UK Homes

Purpose Despite the present focus on improving the resilience of homes to flooding in UK flood risk management policy and strategy, a general measurement framework for determining levels of flood resilience in UK homes does not exist. In light of this, the aim of this study was to develop a means to evaluate the levels of resilience in flood-prone homes from the perspective of homeowners'. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research methodology was employed, with empirical data obtained through a postal survey of homeowners who had experienced flooding. The responses received were then analysed using a combination of statistical techniques including agreement/reliability tests and multiple regression to develop a model of flood resilience. Findings A predictive model was developed that allows the resilience of a property to be quantified and measured as perceived by homeowners. The findings indicate that the main factors found to influence the level of flood resilience were: property type (PT), presence of cellar/basement (C/B), property wall type (PWT), property ground floor type (PGFT), kitchen unit type (KU), flood experience (FE), flood source (FS) and flood risk level (FRL). Practical implications The resulting model provides unique insights into resilience levels to the benefit of a range of stakeholders including policy makers (such as Defra/Environment Agency), Local Authority flood teams, property professionals, housing associations and homeowners. As a result, homeowners will be in a better position to determine which interventions should be prioritised to ensure better flood protection. Originality/value This is the first study of its kind to have rigorously quantified the level of flood resilience for individual homes. This study has quantified the effectiveness of individual resilience measures to derive the first reliable means to measure the overall levels of resilience at the individual property level. This is regarded as a significant contribution to the study of flood risk management through the quantification of resilience within individual UK homes, enabling the prioritisation of interventions and the overall monitoring of resilience

Measuring property flood resilience (PFR) in UK homes

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald on 01/11/2022, available online: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-06-2022-0092 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose: Despite the present focus on improving the resilience of homes to flooding in UK flood risk management policy and strategy, a general measurement framework for determining levels of flood resilience in UK homes does not exist. In light of this, the aim of this study was to develop a means to evaluate the levels of resilience in flood-prone homes from the perspective of homeowners'. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research methodology was employed, with empirical data obtained through a postal survey of homeowners who had experienced flooding. The responses received were then analysed using a combination of statistical techniques including agreement/reliability tests and multiple regression to develop a model of flood resilience. Findings: A predictive model was developed that allows the resilience of a property to be quantified and measured as perceived by homeowners. The findings indicate that the main factors found to influence the level of flood resilience were: property type (PT), presence of cellar/basement (C/B), property wall type (PWT), property ground floor type (PGFT), kitchen unit type (KU), flood experience (FE), flood source (FS) and flood risk level (FRL). Practical implications: The resulting model provides unique insights into resilience levels to the benefit of a range of stakeholders including policy makers (such as Defra/Environment Agency), Local Authority flood teams, property professionals, housing associations and homeowners. As a result, homeowners will be in a better position to determine which interventions should be prioritised to ensure better flood protection. Originality/value: This is the first study of its kind to have rigorously quantified the level of flood resilience for individual homes. This study has quantified the effectiveness of individual resilience measures to derive the first reliable means to measure the overall levels of resilience at the individual property level. This is regarded as a significant contribution to the study of flood risk management through the quantification of resilience within individual UK homes, enabling the prioritisation of interventions and the overall monitoring of resilience.Published versio

MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES AND TROPHIC NICHE BREADTH OF Sarotherodon galilaeus AND Oreochromis niloticus FROM THE FRESHWATER LAKE GERIYO, NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

U radu je istraživana povezanost između morfoloških osobina i ishrane dviju jedinih tilapijskih ciklida Sarotherodon galilaeus i Oreochromis niloticus u jezeru Geriyo, u sjeveroistočnoj Nigeriji. Analizirani su sadržaji želudca 504 jedinki kako bi se morfološke razlike svake vrste povezale s preferencijama ishrane. Izmjereno je jedanaestekoloških relevantnih morfoloških varijabli, uključujući totalnu duljinu, standardnu duljinu, duljinu glave, dubinu tijela, promjer oka, dužinu prsne peraje, dužinu trbušne peraje, broj mekanih žbica leđne peraje, broj tvrdih žbica leđne peraje i broj žbica analne peraje te su podvrgnute analizi glavnih koordinata (PCoA) u svrhu povezivanjamorfoloških razlika svake vrste s njenim preferencijama ishrane. PCoA (korištenjem euklidske udaljenosti) indicirala je veliku morfološku udaljenost između vrsta, ukazujući na prilagodbu različitim prostornim i vertikalnim razdiobama unutar jezera. Nadalje, korelacija morfoloških razlika, s pojedinim kategorijama ishrane ukazuje na potencijalspecijalizirane trofičke tendencije, međutim, visoka pojavnost dviju glavnih vrsta hrane (makrofiti i plankton) u sadržajima želuca obiju vrsta, ukazuje na opće trofičketendencije. Dok je za obje vrste zabilježen visoki trofički indeks preklapanja (0,98), raspon trofičke niše bio je veći kod S. galilaeus (4,18 ± 0,32), u usporedbi s O. niloticus (3,33 ± 0,24). Usprkos velikim morfološkim razlikama, visoka trofička preklapanja ukazuju na ograničen izborhrane u jezeru Geriyo. Osim toga, uspješna koegzistencija tilapija u uvjetima ograničenih izvora hrane upućuje na skladnu podjelu hrane u jezeru.The relationship between morphological traits and feeding ecology of the only two tilapiine cichlids (Sarotherodon galilaeus and Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Geriyo, northeastern Nigeria, was examined. Stomach contents of 504 individuals were examined and analyzed to relate morphological differences of each species to its dietary preferences. Eleven ecological relevant morphological variables, including total length, standard length, head length, body depth, eye diameter, pectoral spine length, pelvic spine length, dorsal fin ray count, dorsal spine count and anal fin ray count, were also measured and subjected to Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to relate morphological differences of each species to its dietary preferences. The PCoA (using Euclidean distance) revealed a large morphological distance between species indicating adaptation for different spatial and vertical distributions within the lake. Furthermore, the correlation of these morphological differences with particular diet categories suggests a potential for specialized trophic tendencies, however, the high occurrence of two major food types (macrophytes and plankton) in stomach contents of both species indicate generalist trophic tendencies.While a high trophic overlap index (0.98) was recorded for both species, the trophic niche breadth was higher for S. galilaeus (4.18±0.32), compared to O. niloticus (3.33±0.24). Despite the large morphological differences of both tilapias, the high trophic overlaps indicate limited food options within Lake Geriyo. In addition, the successful coexistence of the tilapias in the face of limited food resources indicates suitable partitioning of food resources in the lake

Perception of Medical Students on the Effect of Covid-19 on Medical Education in Nigeria

Background: The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal activities including undergraduate medical education in Nigeria, similar to the rest of the world. Nigeria as a low- and middle-income country had peculiar challenges in adjusting to the new norm. This study aimed to assess Nigerian medical student’s perception of the effect of COVID-19 on their learning. Methods: A semi-structured, pre-tested online questionnaire was administered to consenting medical students from thirty-three medical schools in Nigeria. Questions assessed the effect of COVID-19 on study and wellbeing, as well as the perception of interventions from institutions and student organizations to reduce the lockdown consequence on learning. Data was analyzed using (SPSS) version 25. Results: A total of 623 students from 33 institutions participated. All private institutions and 25% of public institutions had commenced online lectures/tutorials, 92% of students in private institutions and 21% in public institutions had attended online lectures/tutorials. Of those who did not attend institution-organized classes, 30.5% were opposed to online lectures, the main reasons stated being internet cost/availability and inefficiency. About 65% of the participants were aware of student-organized online tutorials/seminars. Eighty percent did not feel motivated to study and perceived their personal study to be less effective. Conclusion: Nigerian medical student’s perception of the effect of COVID-19 on their medical education was largely negative. Private institutions fared better in coping with the challenges of the pandemic. Proper planning will be needed to curb the effect of COVID-19 on students’ health and wellbeing

MAPPING AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF POLLING UNITS TO ENHANCE VOTING PROGRESS IN AKURE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

The present structure of polling units was created in 1996 by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), which created 120,000 polling units and 8,809 wards (Registration Areas) to serve the purpose of registration center and voting exercise. Goal and Objectives: The aim of the study is to carryout mapping and spatial distribution of polling units to enhance voting progress in Akure North L.G.A of Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. This is achieved through identifying and mapping of the existing polling units, performing spatial distribution and analysis, database creation and geocoding of the polling units. Methodology: Spatial coordinates of the existing polling units were acquired with the aid of Global Positioning System (GPS). These coordinates were plotted using ArcGIS 10.6 and geo-database was created. Queries were performed to examine the ownership of the polling unit’s premises and also to determine polling units with over 500 registered voters. In addition, Geocoding was done to enhance a text-based description of the location of each polling unit. Nearest Neighbor Analysis (NNA) was applied to examine the kind of distribution of the polling units. The distribution pattern was determined using average nearest neighbor analysis. The result produce Z-score = -8.843133 and P-value = 0.000000, the Nearest Neighbor Index (NNI) value is 0.551025 which describe the distribution of the polling units to be clustered. Results: The result shows that some polling units attributed to the study area are outside of the boundary, 63 of the polling unit’s premises are privately owned while 43 are located in government facilities. It is hereby recommended that this study should be adopted to eradicate the barrier of identification and navigation to the polling units

Making Birmingham a Flood Resilient City: Challenges and Opportunities

The city of Birmingham has experienced a number of significant flooding events in the past two decades. The impacts of these flood events include physical damage to critical infrastructure, as well as significant losses caused by business interruption and general disruption to communities. Human losses and impacts can be life changing. This study identifies the current challenges and opportunities of managing flood risk in the city of Birmingham, drawing on a desk-based account of current flood risk management (FRM) practice and diagnostic evidence. This interrogation adopts the use of a ‘flood resilience circle model’ to consider ways to address the challenges in a methodological manner aligned to an integrated approach to flood risk management. Solutions aligned to the key FRM stages of prevention, preparation, response and recovery are provided. The findings will be of interest to policy makers and decision makers on how to address current weaknesses in FRM practices towards the prospect of a sustainable approach that improves the resilience of the city and delivers multiple benefits. Recommendations made include the adoption of a blue-green systems approach, the development of a new communication strategy aligned to motivating behaviour change, and improved flood forecasting especially for surface water flooding

Prevalence of rifampicin resistant tuberculosis and associated factors among presumptive tuberculosis patients in a secondary referral hospital in Lagos Nigeria

Background: Nigeria is one of the 30 high burden countries for drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) in a secondary referral hospital in Lagos State Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of presumptive TB register of patients screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and RRTB using Xpert MTB/RIF assay at Mainland hospital between January 1 2012 and December 31 2016 was conducted. Results: A total of 2497 clients were screened for MTB and RR-TB during the study period. The majority (51.4%) were between 25 \u2013 44 years. Male: Female ratio was 1:0.8. Of the 2497 clients screened, MTB was detected in 942 (37.7%) out of which 220 (23.4%) had RR-TB. Age (AOR 1.8, 95%CI 1.3- 2.6, p = 0.001), symptomatic contact with DR-TB patients (AOR 3.3, 95%CI 2.1-5.1, p <0.001) and type of TB (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7 \u2013 5.0, <0.001) were associated with RR-TB after adjusting for age, gender, HIV status and symptomatic contacts with DR-TB patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of RR-TB in new and previously treated TB patients was high in this study. Urgent steps are needed to avert an impending RR-TB epidemi

Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Assessments of age-specific mortality and life expectancy have been done by the UN Population Division, Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNPOP), the United States Census Bureau, WHO, and as part of previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Previous iterations of the GBD used population estimates from UNPOP, which were not derived in a way that was internally consistent with the estimates of the numbers of deaths in the GBD. The present iteration of the GBD, GBD 2017, improves on previous assessments and provides timely estimates of the mortality experience of populations globally. Methods The GBD uses all available data to produce estimates of mortality rates between 1950 and 2017 for 23 age groups, both sexes, and 918 locations, including 195 countries and territories and subnational locations for 16 countries. Data used include vital registration systems, sample registration systems, household surveys (complete birth histories, summary birth histories, sibling histories), censuses (summary birth histories, household deaths), and Demographic Surveillance Sites. In total, this analysis used 8259 data sources. Estimates of the probability of death between birth and the age of 5 years and between ages 15 and 60 years are generated and then input into a model life table system to produce complete life tables for all locations and years. Fatal discontinuities and mortality due to HIV/AIDS are analysed separately and then incorporated into the estimation. We analyse the relationship between age-specific mortality and development status using the Socio-demographic Index, a composite measure based on fertility under the age of 25 years, education, and income. There are four main methodological improvements in GBD 2017 compared with GBD 2016: 622 additional data sources have been incorporated; new estimates of population, generated by the GBD study, are used; statistical methods used in different components of the analysis have been further standardised and improved; and the analysis has been extended backwards in time by two decades to start in 1950. Findings Globally, 18·7% (95% uncertainty interval 18·4–19·0) of deaths were registered in 1950 and that proportion has been steadily increasing since, with 58·8% (58·2–59·3) of all deaths being registered in 2015. At the global level, between 1950 and 2017, life expectancy increased from 48·1 years (46·5–49·6) to 70·5 years (70·1–70·8) for men and from 52·9 years (51·7–54·0) to 75·6 years (75·3–75·9) for women. Despite this overall progress, there remains substantial variation in life expectancy at birth in 2017, which ranges from 49·1 years (46·5–51·7) for men in the Central African Republic to 87·6 years (86·9–88·1) among women in Singapore. The greatest progress across age groups was for children younger than 5 years; under-5 mortality dropped from 216·0 deaths (196·3–238·1) per 1000 livebirths in 1950 to 38·9 deaths (35·6–42·83) per 1000 livebirths in 2017, with huge reductions across countries. Nevertheless, there were still 5·4 million (5·2–5·6) deaths among children younger than 5 years in the world in 2017. Progress has been less pronounced and more variable for adults, especially for adult males, who had stagnant or increasing mortality rates in several countries. The gap between male and female life expectancy between 1950 and 2017, while relatively stable at the global level, shows distinctive patterns across super-regions and has consistently been the largest in central Europe, eastern Europe, and central Asia, and smallest in south Asia. Performance was also variable across countries and time in observed mortality rates compared with those expected on the basis of development. Interpretation This analysis of age-sex-specific mortality shows that there are remarkably complex patterns in population mortality across countries. The findings of this study highlight global successes, such as the large decline in under-5 mortality, which reflects significant local, national, and global commitment and investment over several decades. However, they also bring attention to mortality patterns that are a cause for concern, particularly among adult men and, to a lesser extent, women, whose mortality rates have stagnated in many countries over the time period of this study, and in some cases are increasing. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation