Design, Construction and Simulation of Tesla Turbine

Investigations of laminar fluid flow between two moving or stationary plates, and two rotating discs, over the years were geared toward how to increase Tesla-based turbine efficiency. Therefore, this research entails the construction, design and simulation of a Tesla turbine in order to investigate the potential of Tesla turbine for energy generation. Method of solution entails the design and construction of a physical model Tesla turbine from locally sourced materials. The physical model geometry and design parameters were then used to conduct numerical simulation. Performance evaluation was then carried on the physical model and the simulation model. The result showed that voltage, current and power all increase with increase in rev. per minute.  The result obtained indicates that for higher power generation, a Tesla turbine design with higher revolution per minute capability will be required.  Turbine model simulation showed that radial velocity vector to be concentrated at the discs periphery and outlet. The research results are good references for design of larger Tesla turbine for community use

Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 and its plausible determinants. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with such risk perceptions. Results: A total of 1,646 responses were included in the analysis of the perceived risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. Our data suggested that 36.4% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 22.4% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Being a woman, working in healthcare-related sectors, contracting pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, as well as seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV were all associated with a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. In addition, being a woman, elderly, having heart disease and pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, and seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV had a higher perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Conclusions: The perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 are relatively low among respondents; this suggests the need to conduct health campaigns to disseminate knowledge and information on the ongoing pandemic

Bacterial evaluation of ready-to-eat sliced fruits sold for human consumption in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Introduction: Safety after consumption of ready-to-eat sliced fruits often sold by road sides is of concern. The fruits are sliced by unschooled fruit sellers with little or no knowledge of hygienic protocols for achieving food safety. Consumption of such exposed food may not be without challenges in food safety. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the safety of ready to-eat sliced fruit sold for human consumption. The objectives include finding out bacterial contamination of the fruits, bacterial load on the fruits and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of isolated bacteria. Materials and methods: Twenty samples each of sliced pawpaw, watermelon and pineapple were evaluated for bacterial contamination using standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolated bacteria were tested. Results: Ninety bacteria isolates belonging to five bacterial genera were recorded. Of these isolates, Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 34.3 %, followed by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae [17.2 % each], Salmonella typhi [15.2%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [9.1 %] and lastly other salmonellae [7.1 %]. The total aerobic counts range from 9.36 x 105 to 7.25 x 106 /ml of fruit homogenate. Pawpaw recorded the heaviest contamination followed by watermelon and pineapple. Augmentin and cefuroxime recorded the highest mean percentage antibiotic resistance of 83.3 each, followed by ceftaxidime and cefixime [66.7 each], gentamicin [16.7]; ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin recorded no resistance against all the bacteria. Conclusion: The mean total aerobic microbial counts on sliced fruits were beyond acceptable limit for human consumption. Public enlightenment and training of fruit vendors is hereby advocated to reduce possible hazards due to consumption of these products in Nigeria and Ado-Ekiti in particular

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children In Ago Aduloju Community, Ado LGA of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a common neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest number of infected people residing in Nigeria. Several factors have been shown to facilitate the continuous transmission of schistosomiasis in endemic countries, especially water activity in freshwater bodies where the snail vector lives and socio-economic factors. Available control efforts rely on epidemiological information for better targeting of intervention; however, this information is lacking in some research-naive communities in Ekiti State. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the Ago-Aduloju community. The urine sample was collected from 315 consenting community-based school children and screened for schistosomiasis infection using the filtration technique. Data were gathered utilizing questionnaires and laboratory analysis. 315 participants within the age range of 5-19 years comprising 55.2% males, 44.8% females were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was found to be 6.35% with 4.44% in females and 1.91% in males. Among the participant, the questionnaire revealed 84.1% and 95.6% had received praziquantel and albendazole, respectively. 6.41% of the participant who took praziquantel tested positive for schistosomiasis infection. Haematuria was positive in 0.95% of participants. Although 61.3% of participants are aware of schistosomiasis infection, none of them knew the intermediate host involved in the transmission. The findings showed that there is a significant difference (p&gt;0.05) between respondents that have taken praziquantel and those that are positive for schistosomiasis. Conclusively, the study revealed that schistosomiasis is still of concern among the school children in the Ago-Aduloju community and that continuous Mass Drug Administration and health education is imperative to sensitize and educate the school children on transmission, risk, and prevention of schistosomiasis.</jats:p

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children In Ago Aduloju Community, Ado LGA of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a common neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest number of infected people residing in Nigeria. Several factors have been shown to facilitate the continuous transmission of schistosomiasis in endemic countries, especially water activity in freshwater bodies where the snail vector lives and socio-economic factors. Available control efforts rely on epidemiological information for better targeting of intervention; however, this information is lacking in some research-naive communities in Ekiti State. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the Ago-Aduloju community. The urine sample was collected from 315 consenting community-based school children and screened for schistosomiasis infection using the filtration technique. Data were gathered utilizing questionnaires and laboratory analysis. 315 participants within the age range of 5-19 years comprising 55.2% males, 44.8% females were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was found to be 6.35% with 4.44% in females and 1.91% in males. Among the participant, the questionnaire revealed 84.1% and 95.6% had received praziquantel and albendazole, respectively. 6.41% of the participant who took praziquantel tested positive for schistosomiasis infection. Haematuria was positive in 0.95% of participants. Although 61.3% of participants are aware of schistosomiasis infection, none of them knew the intermediate host involved in the transmission. The findings showed that there is a significant difference (p&gt;0.05) between respondents that have taken praziquantel and those that are positive for schistosomiasis. Conclusively, the study revealed that schistosomiasis is still of concern among the school children in the Ago-Aduloju community and that continuous Mass Drug Administration and health education is imperative to sensitize and educate the school children on transmission, risk, and prevention of schistosomiasis

Nutritional Composition and Sensory Quality of Packaged Ofe-Owerri: A Major Traditional Soup in Nigeria

Background: Ofe-Owerri is an expensive traditional soup in Nigeria, prepared using Oha (Pterocarpus soyauxi), Ukazi (Gnetum africanum), Uziza (Piper guineense) and cocoyam (Colocasia esculanta) as the major vegetables. The soup is highly celebrated for its traditional therapeutic and nutritional potentials. Objective: In this study, we assessed the proximate and mineral components, sensory and microbial qualities of the Ofe-Owerri soup in a cooked and packaged form. Antioxidant status and phytoconstituents of the major vegetables of the soup were also determined. Methods: Established methods were used as previously reported in the literature. Results: Calcium was the most concentrated mineral, whereas lead was absent. High moisture (63.45%), crude protein (14.60%) and fat (13.27%) were found in the soup. The major ingredients (vegetables) used to prepare Ofe-Owerri contain phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds and saponins, and showed potent antioxidant activity in various in vitro models, with uziza displaying the highest scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The vegetables exhibit reductive capacity against oxidants, and chelation of metallic free radicals. There was no significant difference (p≤0.05) in the sensory parameters of Ofe-Owerri soup kept frozen in foil and plastic containers, respectively, for 21 days. Conclusion: This study showed that Ofe-Owerri is a good dietary source of nutrients and possesses phytoconstituents with potential beneficial health effects. When properly packaged, the soup can be stored safely for up to three weeks. </jats:sec