Comparison of Area Deprivation Index, Socioeconomic Parameters, and Preoperative Demographics With Postoperative Emergency Department Visits After Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine if socioeconomic (SE) parameters, primarily area deprivation index (ADI), relate to postoperative emergency department (ED) visits after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2655 patients who underwent TKA in a health system of 4 hospitals. The primary outcome was an ED visit within 90 days, which was divided into those with and without readmission. SE parameters including ADI as well as preoperative demographics were analyzed. Univariable and multiple logistic regressions were performed determining risk of 90-day postoperative ED visits, as well as once in the ED, risks for readmission. RESULTS: 436 patients (16.4%) presented to the ED within 90 days. ADI was not a risk factor. The multiple logistic regression demonstrated men, Medicare or Medicaid, and preoperative ED visits were consistently risk factors for a postoperative ED visit with and without readmission. Preoperative anticoagulation was only a risk factor for ED visits with readmission. Among patients who visited the ED, if the patient was Caucasian, a lower BMI, or higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, they were likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the percentage of early ED returns after TKA was high and that ADI was not a predictor for 90-day postoperative ED visit. The only SE factor that may contribute to this phenomenon was insurance type. Once in the ED, race, preoperative ED visits, preoperative anticoagulation, BMI, gender, and preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists score contributed to a risk of readmission. The study supports hospitals\u27 mission to provide equal access health care

County-Level Trends and Potential Disparities in the Suicide Rates in Virginia, 2020 – 2022

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) on suicide patterns in the state of Virginia. Methods A secondary statistical analysis was conducted using publicly accessible data from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps database for Virginia. Data from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed, focusing on age-adjusted suicide rates and SDH factors, including % rural, mental health provider rate, median household income, high school completion, and unemployment rates. Multiple regression analysis and visualizations were employed for data interpretation. Results The analysis revealed that SDH factors significantly predicted suicide rates across the study period. Median household income consistently emerged as a strong predictor of suicide in 2021 and 2022, indicating a decrease in suicide risk with higher income levels. High-risk areas, especially in rural and suburban counties, were noticed, with Southern counties having a slightly higher burden of suicide rates. Conclusion This study shows that SDH impacts suicide rates in Virginia, and there is a need for tailored interventions for high-risk areas. Economic stability and location matter. Addressing SDH, enhancing mental health access, and promoting community well-being is vital in suicide prevention. Keywords: Suicide, social determinants of health, rural-urban divide, racial disparities, mental health, public health, risk factors, Virginia, United States, age-adjusted suicide rates, poverty, median household incom

ICT Literacy Skills as Correlate of Information Utilisation Among Undergraduate Students of University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

of University of Lagos, Nigeria. It was found that the level of ICT literacy skills among the undergraduate students of the University of Lagos was relatively high. Majority of the students in the University of Lagos indicated that they acquired the ICT literacy skills mostly through self-study (users’ guide), formal education, by trial and error method, as well as assistance from their colleagues. There was no significant relationship between ICT literacy skills and information use by the undergraduate students. Likewise, no significant relationship existed between the acquisition of ICT literacy skills and use of information by the undergraduate students. The study recommended among others that the university should periodically organize ICT literacy programmes to improve on students’ ICT literacy skills for effective accessibility of the available ICT facilities like the internet and e-resources for productive information use

Data-driven optimal planning for hybrid renewable energy system management in smart campus: a case study

Academic and research institutions need to be at the forefront of research and development efforts on sustainable energy transition towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 7. Thus, the most economically feasible hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) option for meeting the energy demands of Covenant University was investigated in this study. Several optimal combinations of energy resource components and storage which have significant potentials within the university campus were modeled on HOMER software in grid-connected mode. The daily energy consumption data of Covenant University were measured using EDMI Mk10E digital energy meter for a whole year. Data for analyzing renewable energy potentials for several years were sourced from the NASA database through the HOMER platform. Significantly, due to the fluctuating price of diesel fuel in Nigeria, sensitivity analysis was carried out for each combination using diesel fuel prices ranging from 0.3 $/litre to 1$/litre. The results of each projected combination which gave 32 simulation scenarios, were analyzed comparatively using eight important system performance indices which cover economic, technical, and environmental impact assessment with and without battery energy systems. The results of the comparative analysis showed that the PV-Diesel-Grid-BESS HRES is the best configuration for meeting the Covenant university load demands in terms of credible reduction in the net present cost and cost of electricity. However, deployment of the wind energy system is economically infeasible at the study site, while the diesel generator should be strictly a backup

What do Agricultural and Biological Science Students Use? A Bibliometric Analysis of Undergraduate Research Projects

The study investigate the citation pattern of undergraduate projects in a private university, Nigeria. Bibliometric method was adopted for the study to analyze the information sources cited in the research projects. The coverage of the study was from 2015 to 2018 set of graduates. Findings revealed that Animal Science programme accounted for the highest citations, while Agricultural Economics had the lowest citations. It was also discovered that an average of 49 citations per project were recorded. Journal articles and books were the most cited materials. The paper concluded and made recommendations

Information Provision by Public Library to Agricultural Extension Agents in a Developing Country

One of the bedrock of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is eradication of poverty and hunger. In an attempt to actualize this goal, the role of public libraries in information provision to agricultural extension agents in Nigeria becomes paramount. This paper discusses provision of information to agricultural extension agents in a developing country. It starts with the concept of extension agents and the essence of information provision to them. It further discusses types, sources and challenges of public libraries in information provision to agricultural extension workers in a developing country. Some of the challenges are as follows: poor funding of public libraries, demotivated staff, and so on. Based on these discussions, the paper recommended adequate training and retraining of staff, adequate funding of public libraries by the federal, state and local government, the revitalization of the abandoned mobile library services among others. The paper therefore concludes that information provision to agricultural extension agents by public library is very crucial for national development. The current state of poverty, hunger and lack in Nigeria and some other African countries could be reduced to a great extent if current, relevant and up-to-date information are provided by libraries to the concerned agencies

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCUST BEAN SEED DEHULLING CUM WASHING MACHINE

A wet locust bean seeds (Parkia biglobosa) dehulling and washing machine was developed to reduce the drudgery attached to traditional dehulling of the seeds which are processed for use as condiments and flavors’ for food in many African countries. The machine consisted of dehulling and washing units, the dehulling mechanism obtains its drive from a 0.38 kW gear motor of 30 - 50 rpm. The dehulling shaft; has rods arranged concentrically to break seed coat and radial fan-like blades used as a stirrer. The dehuller cum washer was evaluated based on the boiling time of the seeds on an electric cooker. The result indicated that the efficiency of the machine increased linearly with an increase in boiling time. The throughput capacity decreased with an increase in boiling time and moisture content decreased with an increase in boiling time from the sixth hour. Dehulling efficiency ranged from 59.7 to 68%, and cleaning efficiency ranged from 83.4 to 87.4 % while the average throughput capacity was 108 kg/hr

Study of Marine Natural Products as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents Using Molecular Modeling

Corresponding author (BioMolecular Sciences): Priyanka Samanta, [email protected]://egrove.olemiss.edu/pharm_annual_posters_2022/1018/thumbnail.jp

USE OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES BY FACULTY MEMBERS IN LANDMARK UNIVERSITY

The study examined the use of electronic resources by faculty members in Landmark University, Omu-Aran. It aimed at finding out level of awareness, frequency of access, motivations and constraints of electronic resources use among faculty members. The predictors of electronic resources use were also identified. Stratified sampling technique was used to select faculty members from various academic units within the university. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 109 faculty members. Frequencies and linear regression were used for data analyses. Findings revealed that faculty members use electronic resources for academic purposes. Having access to wide range of books and journals, increased access to current materials, and, to carryout research are the major motivations of electronic resources use by faculty members. The consequence of prolonged e-book reading and the need to be computer literate were identified as constraints of electronic resources use. The study recommends that user training should be frequently organized for better usage as well as stimulates the interest of users

Job Satisfaction, Productivity and Automation of Academic Libraries in Nigeria

The library as an integral and significant part of academia has undergone phenomenal development in the use of ICTs which have substantially influenced information resources’ acquisition, processing, storage and use. The library and information professionals have increasingly become aware of the potential of computer as a powerful tool that can be applied to improve both the operational efficiency of the library and information personnel and the quality of various services provided to the user community. Such awareness has been reinforced by the successful experiments carried out in this direction in many of the developed countries and few in Nigeria. However, despite the huge benefits of automation to library operations in Nigeria, which enhance the job satisfaction and productivity of library personnel, some setbacks have been discovered as impediments to enjoying these benefits. Some of them are lack of fund, and lack of trained library personnel. Before academic libraries can take the full advantage of the benefits that come with automation, certain parameters such as adequate plans and preparation, consultations, adequate fund for uninterrupted power supply and required ICT infrastructures, regular in-house IT training, must be put in place