DEVELOPMENT OF A MODIFIED EMPIRICAL MODEL FOR NEW MOBILE RADIO NETWORK AT 28 GHZ MILLIMETER WAVE SPECTRUM

Quality of received signal depends partly on the degree of loss the signal experiences along its path. Different models are available for network path loss (PL) prediction. The issues of poor network in some urban area need special attention especially during the deployment of 5G new radio network. It is believed that 4G and 5G networks will coexist for a very long time.  5G network will work in conjunction with the existing 4G network, and 4Gnetwork is not going away any time soon. Hence, it is important to develop a suitable model to mitigate the outcome of signal attenuation and signal interference in 5G network. This paper presented a modified particle swarm algorithm model in 4G network at 28 GHz millimeter wave spectrum.  Some existing PL models are unsuitable for PL prediction in certain environments necessitating the development of an appropriate model. To achieve this, existing models and measured data were compared to find out the closest model to the measured value. The environmental loss exponent was obtained to modify Okumura-Hata which is the closest model to the measured path loss (PL) data. A new modified model for the terrain was enhanced by the developed Autoregressive Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO) Algorithm. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) results obtained are 4.499 dB, 1.050 dB and 0.872 dB for Okumura-Hata, Modified and Enhanced model, respectively. The corresponding values for Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) are 0.254 %, 0.058 % and 0.048 %. The result showed that Enhanced APSO is a suitable model for predicting 4G network in Abuja, Nigeri

Allele Frequencies of Apolipoprotein E in a South Western Nigerian population on HAART

Objective: Increasing evidence has shown that ApoE polymorphism is associated with the early onset of cardiovascular and neurological diseases in patients on HAART. The frequency of occurrence of the alleles and the genotypes vary by race and population. The study describes the pattern seen among adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 randomly selected HIV-infected persons on protease inhibitor therapy who receive care at the adult antiretroviral clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. DNA was extracted from leucocytes using EDTA blood. ApoE genotypes were determined using the Seeplex ApoE ACE genotyping kit. The epidemiological distribution of apoE is figured with a pie graph. Results: About four-fifth (79%) of the participants were females while about two-thirds (68%) were below 50 years of age.  The most frequently occurring allele was the ε3 allele (82.2%) and the most common ApoE genotype observed was ε3/ε3. This genotype was present in 52 (41.9%) of the participants. At least one allele of Apo ε2, Apo ε3, and Apo ε4 was present in 28(22.5%), 102 (82.2%), and 50 (40.3) of the study participants respectively. Homozygosity for Apo ε2 and Apo ε4 was observed in 4.8% and 8.0% of participants respectively. Conclusions: Allelic frequency seen is similar to that described in other studied populations and the frequency of genotypes observed was also similar to those described among world populations with a higher observation of ApoE4 allele as seen in people of African descent

Development of a modified propagation model of a wireless mobile communication system in a 4G network

Pathloss is a key element that causes signal deterioration in the channel as the signal power reduces inversely with propagation distance, this deterioration experienced by the channel is majorly as a result of reflection, absorption, and scattering of the signal. This study however takes into consideration the radio path loss for precise base station (BS), frequency, and power adjustment prediction evaluated over a frequency of 2.3 GHz. With a distance range between 0.1 and 1.5 km for collection of data on the measured received signal strength (MRSS), five empirical models and a modified model were used to validate the measured data to determine their suitability for pathloss prediction at Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo state, Nigeria. The results shows that the root mean square error (RMSE) for the Okumura-Hata, COST 231-Hata, Ericsson model, Lee, Stanford University Interim (SUI), ECC-33, and modified models are 14.33, 9.73, 25.79, 48.4, 33.76, and 8.31 dB respectively. Additionally, the Ericsson model provided 0.498 dB, the COST 231-Hata recorded 0.733 dB, and the modified model provided 0.453 dB for mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Therefore, the improved model produces the best results, consequently, be deployed to approximately predict path loss for mobile radio coverage in Owerri, Nigeria

Relationship between 3-meter backward walk test and grip strength test in community-dwelling older adults

Introduction The 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3-MBWT) is an important assessment tool used in evaluating neuromuscular control, proprioception, risk of falls and balance. On the other hand, the Hand Grip Strength (HGS) test primarily is used to measure muscular strength or maximum tension generated by one’s forearm muscles. This study aimed to assess the relationship between 3-MBWT and HGS among community-dwelling older adults. Material and methods Sixty-two community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. 3- MBWT was measured using a standardized procedure. HGS was measured in line with the guidelines of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Anthropometric variables were assessed following standard procedures. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to verify the correlation between 3-MBWT and HGS and the influence of socio-demographic factors on both 3-MBWT and HGS. Results The mean age was 68 ± 2 years. The mean values for 3-MBWT and HGS were 3.45 ± 0.80s and 29.58 ± 15.53kg. There was a significant correlation between 3-MBWT and HGS (r = -0.39; p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between 3-MBWT and sociodemographics (p > 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant correlation between HGS and sociodemographics (p>0.05), except height (r=0.51, p<0.001). Conclusions The 3-MBWT and HGS were significantly correlated with one another. Anthropometric characteristics did not influence the 3-MBWT. On the other hand, only height and gender showed a significant influence on HGS. Therefore, both 3-MBWT and HGS may serve as useful functional outcome measures for fall predictability and frailty in older adults

Allele Frequencies of Apolipoprotein E in a South Western Nigerian population on HAART

Objective: Increasing evidence has shown that ApoE polymorphism is associated with the early onset of cardiovascular and neurological diseases in patients on HAART. The frequency of occurrence of the alleles and the genotypes vary by race and population. The study describes the pattern seen among adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 randomly selected HIV-infected persons on protease inhibitor therapy who receive care at the adult antiretroviral clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. DNA was extracted from leucocytes using EDTA blood. ApoE genotypes were determined using the Seeplex ApoE ACE genotyping kit. The epidemiological distribution of apoE is figured with a pie graph. Results: About four-fifth (79%) of the participants were females while about two-thirds (68%) were below 50 years of age.  The most frequently occurring allele was the ε3 allele (82.2%) and the most common ApoE genotype observed was ε3/ε3. This genotype was present in 52 (41.9%) of the participants. At least one allele of Apo ε2, Apo ε3, and Apo ε4 was present in 28(22.5%), 102 (82.2%), and 50 (40.3) of the study participants respectively. Homozygosity for Apo ε2 and Apo ε4 was observed in 4.8% and 8.0% of participants respectively. Conclusions: Allelic frequency seen is similar to that described in other studied populations and the frequency of genotypes observed was also similar to those described among world populations with a higher observation of ApoE4 allele as seen in people of African descent

SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control.

The COVID-19 global pandemic is being driven by evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants with consequential implications on virus transmissibility, host immunity, and disease severity. Continuous molecular and genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 variants is therefore necessary for public health interventions toward the management of the pandemic. This study is a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases reported in a Nigerian tertiary institution from July to December 2021. In total, 705 suspected COVID-19 cases that comprised 547 students and 158 non-students were investigated by real time PCR (RT-PCR); of which 372 (~52.8%) tested positive for COVID-19. Using a set of selection criteria, 74 (~19.9%) COVID-19 positive samples were selected for next generation sequencing. Data showed that there were two outbreaks of COVID-19 within the university community over the study period, during which more females (56.8%) tested positive than males (47.8%) (p<0.05). Clinical data together with phylogenetic analysis suggested community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through mostly asymptomatic and/or pre-symptomatic individuals. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were mostly mild, however, SARS-CoV-2 delta (77%) and omicron (4.1%) variants were implicated as major drivers of respective waves of infections during the study period. This study highlights the importance of integrated surveillance of communicable disease during outbreaks

Short- and Longer-Term Impacts of Health Insurance on Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Nigeria

ackground: Out-of-pocket health expenditures (OOPs) constitute a significant proportion of total health expenditures in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), leading to an increased likelihood of exposure to financial catastrophe in the event of illness. Health insurance has the potential to reduce catastrophic health expenditures (CHE), but rigorous evidence of its sustained impact is limited, especially in LMICs. This study examined the short- and longer-term effects of a health insurance program in Kwara State, Nigeria on CHE. Methods: The analysis is based on a panel dataset consisting of 3 waves of household surveys in program and comparison areas. The balanced data consists of 1,039 households and 3,450 individuals. We employed a difference-in-differences (DiD) regression approach to estimate intention-to-treat effects, and then computed average treatment effects on the treated by combining DiD with propensity score weighting and an instrumental variables analysis. CHE was measured as OOPs exceeding 10% of household consumption and 40% of capacity-to-pay (CTP). Results: Using 10% of consumption as a CHE measure, we found that living in the program area was associated with a 4.3 percentage point (pp) decrease in CHE occurrence (p < 0.05), while the effect on insured households was 5.7 pp (p < 0.05). The longer-term impact four years after program introduction was not significant. Heterogeneity analyses show a reduction in CHE of 7.2 pp (p < 0.01) in the short-term for the poorest tercile. No significant effects were found for the middle and richest terciles, nor in the longer-term. Households with a chronically ill member experienced a reduction in CHE of 9.4 pp (p < 0.01) in the short-term, but not in the longer-term. Most estimates based on the 40% of CTP measure were not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical role of health insurance in reducing the likelihood of catastrophic health expenditures, especially for vulnerable populations such as the poor and the chronically ill, and by extension in achieving universal health coverage. They also show that the beneficial impacts of health insurance may attenuate over time, as households potentially adjust their health-seeking behavior to the new scheme

Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Clinical Correlates in a Rural Community in Southwestern Nigeria

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a burgeoning problem globally, and more than a billion adults were affected as of 2016, with 1.2 million people dying from renal failure in 2017. To arrest the seemingly relentless progression of CKD to renal failure, there is a need to detect CKD early in the community. A community-based study was carried out to look at the prevalence and risk factors of CKD. Anthropometric and other clinical variables were measured. Blood samples were taken for determining creatinine, uric acid, urea, and lipids. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Electrocardiograms and renal ultrasound scans were performed. In total, 201 people were recruited. Those with CKD had a male:female ratio of 1:3.9 and were older. The prevalence of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease and CKD was 531.9 persons/100,000 population and 46.3%, respectively. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), uric acid, QTc interval, and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy were higher in those with CKD. Age, female sex, and HDL were independently associated with CKD. There was a steep rise in CKD at the community level. Increased awareness of CKD and prompt interventions are therefore imperative

SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control. S1 Data

Data for the PLOS ONE paper, "SARS-CoV-2 variants-associated outbreaks of COVID-19 in a tertiary institution, North-Central Nigeria: Implications for epidemic control"