Realist Evaluation of the Early-Stage Implementation of a Smartphone-Based Disease Surveillance Project in Two Armed-Conflict Communities in Nigeria

We investigate the early-stage implementation of a smartphone-based acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance project in communities experiencing armed conflicts in Nigeria. We aim to expose factors influencing the early-stage implementation of smartphone-based AFP surveillance in two rural communities experiencing armed conflicts in Northern Nigeria. Thus, exploring “what works, for whom and under what contextual conditions?” in the early-stage implementation of a smartphone-based AFP surveillance project, given the involvement of multiple stakeholders. We adopted stakeholder theory as a lens to guide the study. We adopted a qualitative case study method, realist philosophy, semi-structured interview, participatory observation, and thematic data analysis. The findings reveal mechanisms (sense of connectedness, ownership, fear) and contextual conditions (infrastructural challenges, healthcare workforce, security constraints) influencing early-stage implementation. We postulate a model that explains the factors influencing the early-stage implementation of the smartphone-based AFP surveillance project in security-constrained communities

Philosophical Dimensions of Research in M-Health-Based Disease Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review

We examine the current literature on mobile health (m-Health) based disease surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We aim to uncover the philosophical assumptions scholars use to drive research studies in the field. We considered this pertinent because philosophical assumptions play significant roles in how Information Systems (IS) and their users are conceptualised. We sought to address the following broad review question using a systematic literature review approach: what are the philosophical assumptions that drive research in m-Health-based disease surveillance and the impact on methodological assumptions and theoretical frameworks adopted by scholars? Our findings reveal that positivist and pragmatist traditions dominate the research area. However, given the complex contextual conditions in SSA, alternative philosophical assumptions in the post-positivist philosophy, particularly interpretivism, could enhance our understanding of phenomena surrounding m-Health-based disease surveillance. Therefore, we seek to stimulate the IS community\u27s interest in investigating m-Health-based disease surveillance from interpretivist perspectives to offer more meaningful contributions in theorising the phenomenon

Taxonomic and functional analyses of intact microbial communities thriving in extreme, astrobiology-relevant, anoxic sites

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAMBackground: Extreme terrestrial, analogue environments are widely used models to study the limits of life and to infer habitability of extraterrestrial settings. In contrast to Earth’s ecosystems, potential extraterrestrial biotopes are usually characterized by a lack of oxygen. Methods: In the MASE project (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration), we selected representative anoxic analogue environments (permafrost, salt-mine, acidic lake and river, sulfur springs) for the comprehensive analysis of their microbial communities. We assessed the microbiome profile of intact cells by propidium monoazide-based amplicon and shotgun metagenome sequencing, supplemented with an extensive cultivation effort. Results: The information retrieved from microbiome analyses on the intact microbial community thriving in the MASE sites, together with the isolation of 31 model microorganisms and successful binning of 15 high-quality genomes allowed us to observe principle pathways, which pinpoint specific microbial functions in the MASE sites compared to moderate environments. The microorganisms were characterized by an impressive machinery to withstand physical and chemical pressures. All levels of our analyses revealed the strong and omnipresent dependency of the microbial communities on complex organic matter. Moreover, we identified an extremotolerant cosmopolitan group of 34 poly-extremophiles thriving in all sites. Conclusions: Our results reveal the presence of a core microbiome and microbial taxonomic similarities between saline and acidic anoxic environments. Our work further emphasizes the importance of the environmental, terrestrial parameters for the functionality of a microbial community, but also reveals a high proportion of living microorganisms in extreme environments with a high adaptation potential within habitability borders. Keywords: Extreme environments, Microbiomes, Archaea, Bacteria, Propidium monoazide, Astrobiology, Spaceanalogue, Extremophiles, Extraterrestrial life, Metagenomic

Determinants of Yield among Rice Farmers: Evidence from Fadama III AF Project Intervention in Sokoto State

The major focus of this paper was to examine the factors that contribute to rice yield among Fadama III AF beneficiaries in the three senatorial zones of Sokoto state. A sample of one hundred and twenty (120) rice farmers was surveyed across the three senatorial zones of the state to identify the determinants of yield and compare yield between senatorial zones. The study hypothesized that farm specific and socioeconomics are directly related to farm yield. Findings of the study could provide important insights on how to improve farm productivity among farmers in the study area. Results of the study revealed that farm size, experience, income and variability due to difference in farm location influence farm yield among Fadama III AF supported rice farmers in Sokoto state. Similarly, the high average yield obtained by the farmers could be as a result of Fadama III AF support in the area. The study concluded that farm specific factors could be tapped to improve yield. Keywords: Determinants, yield, rice, Fadama III AF, interventio

A Realist Evaluation of the Sustainability of Disease Surveillance Intervention Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa

In recent years, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and to improve disease surveillance has been on the increase. This is in line with the notion that ICTs improve timeliness, availability and quality of public health data. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is burdened with increasing health challenges and poor health infrastructure. Thus, an explosion of ICT-based health surveillance interventions to curb these challenges. However, despite the implementation of these interventions, important questions around the effectiveness and sustainability still remain. This study proposes a realist evaluation of disease surveillance intervention outcomes from a sustainability perspective to uncover what works, for whom, under what conditions and why? We also discuss how the complex adaptive systems theory and affordance theory provide a lens for investigating this phenomenon. The results of this study will contribute to the evidence based movement for Information Systems (IS) research and practice in SSA

Factors Influencing Farm Income among Farmers in Northern Nigeria

The observed decline in farm income in recent times was a source of concern for farmers and other stake holders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. This could be a serious setback for Nigeria’s drive to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. This paper focused on identifying the determinants of farm income in northern Nigeria. Result of the study could be beneficial to farmers and policy makers by providing insight on the factors that could raise farm income. The study was based on the hunch that certain socio economic factors and climatic elements could improve farm income. Findings of the study revealed that livestock keeping, access to credit, farm power, proximity to market, marital status, gender and climate influenced farm income. In addition variation in factors due to difference in agro ecological zones significantly affected revenue. Conclusion of the study was that farm specific factors could be used as a framework to improve farm income. Keywords: Factors, farm income, farmers, Northern Nigeri

Ramadan tafsir of the glorious Qur’an goes virtual during Covid-19 lockdown in Nigeria

The researchers were motivated by the adoption of digital communication applications and social media platforms by some Islamic scholars in Nigeria to conduct annual Tafsir of the glorious Qur’an in Ramadan 2020 in the midst of coronavirus lockdown. The paper adopted Lull’s Gratification Theory for theoretical explanation of virtual interaction between the scholars who conducted the Tafsir from an isolated places and the audience who watched or listened from their homes in adherence to safety measures to stop the spread of the disease. Methodologically, the study adopted a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique to elicit secondary data from the target participants. The study found that there is usage of digital medium of communication and interaction between Islamic clerics and their followers. This explains the flexibility of Islam to embrace development, adopt and adapt it in conformity with Islamic rules and regulations. The findings also show that Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram are the most common internet based interactive platforms which Islamic scholars explored and disseminated their Tafsir virtual to the audience. The paper concludes that internet has enabled people not only to interact virtual but Tafsir and other forms of Islamic preaching can be conducted without co-presence of the preachers and the audience. The option of live streaming video on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram which consume a lot amount of data has enabled Muslim users to followed the Ramadan Tafsir from distant places

Hereditary multiple exostoses and porencephaly in a Nigerian child: a case report

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a rare condition that is characterised by the development of bony swellings, usually at the growth ends of long bones. It is autosomal dominant, and may result in debilitating deformities. Porencephaly on the other hand is a cystic degeneration of the brain that is associated with the development of encephalomalacia. There is no established link between HME and porencephaly. This case report describes a seven year old female that has features of coexisting HME and porencephaly. She presented with afebrile seizures, learning impairment, stunted growth, macrocephaly and multiple bony swellings. Similar bony swellings were observed in the mother and the sibling of the index case. The coexistence of HME and porencephaly is rarely encountered in clinical practice. This presentation should stimulate the search for a possible link, which may perhaps herald the discovery of a new syndrome

Comparative evaluation of different DNA extraction methods from E. Longifolia herbal medicinal product

The aphrodisiac property of Eurycoma longifolia has led to an increase in the demand for its Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPs). However, the efficiency of such HMPs depends on the usage of their genuine raw materials. The conventional methods cannot identify species in processed form. The authentication of HMPs can be achieved effectively using DNA barcoding as the method species-specific. However, the use of this method solely relied on the extraction of high-quality DNA from the HMPs. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a satisfactory method for extracting high-quality DNA from the HMPs. Here, four DNA extraction methods were compared to evaluate the best protocol in yield, purity, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, sequencing, and species identification. The spectrophotometer analysis showed that the Nucleospin Plant II extraction kit has the best purity as this can be severely affected by the presence of various contaminants in the HMPs. Our findings reveal that DNA purity was more important as a predictor for PCR amplification than yield. Therefore, the present study results demonstrate that the Nucleospin Plant II extraction kit is the best because it produces the purest, amplifiable, and sequenceable DNA for identification and authentication of E. Longifolia HMPs