Single Parenthood Impact on Street Children in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Throughout the world, there are children who are drifted away from homes or families of orientations. They are commonly referred to as “runaway” children. This study examined single parenthood impact on street children in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria .The study made use of random sampling techniques and the data collected was 200 non institutionalized street children in Ibadan metropolis. The instrument used for this study was a questionnaire and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyzed the results. The results indicated that, hypothesis 2and 3 was significant (attachment of street children-F(1.198=55.318, P< 0.05) and hypothesis 3 (aggression of the street children-F( 1.198=56.122,P0.05)i. Based on the findings, the study recommended that there is need for parents to stay together with their children to ensure that their welfare is properly catered for. Single parenthood could be totally reduced if not totally eliminated from the society. Government should provide free and compulsory education to children without family support and help the less privileged parents with financial support by empowering them.Key words: Single Parenthood, Street Children, Anti-Social Behaviour,Aggression, Nigeria

Experience of gender-based violence to students in public and private secondary schools in Ilorin, Nigeria

Objective: To determine and compare prevalence of Gender based Violence (GBV) in public and private secondary schools students and to identify factors associated with experience of GBV by the students.Design: Comparative cross-sectional survey of using a 60 item self-administered questionnaire.Setting: Ten public and private secondary schools in Ilorin South Local Government area of Kwara State.Participants: 640 students, (320 each) from public and private schools.Main outcome variable: Prevalence and factors influencing experience of physical, sexual and psychological violenceResults: At least one form of GBV was experienced by 89.1% of public and 84.8% private schools students(p=0.32). Psychological violence was commonest type of GBV experienced (Public -72.5% vs. Private - 69.2%;p=0.37), while sexual violence was least (Public -41.4% vs. Private - 37.4%; p=0.3). Females were less likely toexperience physical violence (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.4) and psychological violence (aOR 0.6; 95%CI 0.4-0.8). Studentswho were in a relationship and who had history of parental violence were more likely to experience sexual(aOR 1.7; 95%CI 1.2-2.4) and aOR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-2.2) and psychological (aOR 1.3; 95%CI 1.1-1.5 and aOR 1.3;95%CI respectively) violence.Conclusions: GBV was a common experience of students in both groups of schools. Multi-disciplinary interventionsemphasising ending physical and psychological violence among private school students and sexual violence in public school are recommended. Interventions that involve the parents, school authorities and students on nonviolence conflict resolution are urgently required. Parents and students who perpetrate violence should be referred for counselling.Funding: Author fundedKeywords: Violence, Gender based violence, Violence exposure, Secondary School, Student

Development of a Stope Stability Prediction Model Using Ensemble Learning Techniques - A Case Study

The consequences of collapsed stopes can be dire in the mining industry. This can lead to the revocation of a mining license in most jurisdictions, especially when the harm costs lives. Therefore, as a mine planning and technical services engineer, it is imperative to estimate the stability status of stopes. This study has attempted to produce a stope stability prediction model adopted from stability graph using ensemble learning techniques. This study was conducted using 472 case histories from 120 stopes of AngloGold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine. Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Bootstrap Aggregating and Adaptive Boosting classification algorithms were used to produce the models. A comparative analysis was done using six classification performance metrics namely Accuracy, Precision, Sensitivity, F1-score, Specificity and Mathews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) to determine which ensemble learning technique performed best in predicting the stability of a stope. The Bootstrap Aggregating model obtained the highest MCC score of 96.84% while the Adaptive Boosting model obtained the lowest score. The Specificity scores in decreasing order of performance were 98.95%, 97.89%, 96.32% and 95.26% for Bootstrap Aggregating, Gradient Boosting, Random Forest and Adaptive Boosting respectively. The results showed equal Accuracy, Precision, F1-score and Sensitivity score of 97.89% for the Bootstrap Aggregating model while the same observation was made for Adaptive Boosting, Gradient Boosting and Random Forest with 90.53%, 92.63% and 95.79% scores respectively. At a 95% confidence interval using Wilson Score Interval, the results showed that the Bootstrap Aggregating model produced the minimal error and hence was selected as the alternative stope design tool for predicting the stability status of stopes. &nbsp; Keywords: Stope Stability, Ensemble Learning Techniques, Stability Graph, Machine Learnin

UTJECAJ MUCUNE KAO ZELENOG UGARA NA ZNAČAJKE KURKUME, RAZNOVRSNOST KOROVNE FLORE I PLODNOST TLA

A study to determine the performance of turmeric, weed species diversity and soil attributes using mucuna as a fallow crop to replace Panicum maximum vegetation on non fallowed land was carried out at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan between 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons. The experimental site was completely and highly infested by Panicum maximum prior to the commencement of the experiment. In the early growing season of 2009, the land was ploughed and harrowed and the seeds of Mucuna jaspeada were sown at 0.40 m × 0.40 m in May, 2009 to serve as a fallow crop. The mucuna seeds were harvested at maturity while the plant residue and litters that remained on the soil during the dry season were ploughed into the soil before 2m × 2m beds were prepared in the following cropping season for planting turmeric. Three treatments were imposed which included the mucuna fallowed land alone, mucuna fallowed land + inorganic fertilizer of NPK 15:15:15 at 60 kg/ha and mucuna fallowed land + organic fertilizer at 5 t/ha, were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results showed that the application of inorganic fertilizer to turmeric planted and sown with mucuna significantly increased plant height, average number of tillers and rhizome yield to 47.3 cm, 14.00 per plant, 0.81 t/ha compared with 30.0 cm, 10.0 tillers per plant and 0.60 t/ha for mucuna fallow plus organic matter and 26.0 cm, 6.7 tillers per plant and 0.37 t/ha for mucuna fallow alone. Soil N and available P increased slightly from 0.75 g/kg and 10.1 mg/kg respectively the previous year before the land was fallowed to 1.00 g/kg and 11.5 mg/kg respectively after mucuna crop. Five weed species: Amaranthus spinosus, Brachiaria deflexa, Calopogonium mucunoides, Gomphrena celosoides and Panicum maximum occurred all through the sampling periods. However, the incidence of Panicum maximum was greatly reduced by the mucuna fallow 10 months after the establishment of mucuna as its relative density reduced to 18.28% as opposed to 100% land cover visually rated before the commencement of the experiment.Istraživanje s ciljem utvrđivanja značajki kurkume, raznovrsnosti korovne flore i plodnosti tla korištenjem mucune kao zelenog ugara sa svrhom zamjene populacije Panicum maximum na neobrađenom tlu obavljeno je u Nacionalnom istraživačkom institutu za hortikulturu (NIHORT) u Ibadanu tijekom vegetacijske sezone 2009. i 2010. godine. Prije početka istraživanja pokusna parcela bila je potpuno zakorovljena vrstom Panicum maximum. Početkom vegetacijske sezone u 2009. godini parcela je izorana i drljana te je u svibnju za zeleni ugar posijana Mucuna jaspeada na razmak 0,40 x 0,40 m. Žetva mucune je obavljena u punoj zriobi sjemena, dok su biljni ostaci ostali na površini tla tijekom sušnog razdoblja. Zaorani su u narednoj vegetacijskoj sezoni prije pripreme gredica veličine 2 m x 2 m za sadnju kurkume. Istraživana su tri tretmana koji su obuhvaćali: površinu zasijanu samo macunom, površinu zasijanu macunom+mineralno gnojivo NPK 15:15:15 u količini od 60 kg/ha i površinu zasijanu macunom+organsko gnojivo u količini 5 t/ha. Tretmani su postavljeni po slučajnom bloknom rasporedu u tri ponavljanja. Rezultati su pokazali da je primjena mineralnog gnojiva i mucune signifikantno povećala visinu biljka kurkume, prosječan broj izdanaka po biljci i prinos rizoma na 47,3 cm, 14.00 po biljci i 0,81t/ha u usporedbi s 30,0cm, 10,0 izdanaka po biljci i 0,60 t/ha kod tretmana s mucunom + organsko gnojivo i 26,0 cm, 6.7 izdanaka po biljci i 0.37 t/ha kod tretmana gdje je primijenjena samo mucuna. Dušik (N) i pristupačni fosfor (P) u tlu su neznatno porasli s 0,75 g/kg i 10,1 mg/kg koliko su iznosili prije nego je posijana mucuna, na 1,00 g/kg i 11,5 mg/kg nakon primjene tretmana s mucunom. Pet korovnih vrsta: Amaranthus spinosus, Brachiaria deflexa, Calopogonium mucunoides, Gomphrena celosoides i Panicum maximum javljale su se tijekom čitavog istraživanja. Međutim, primjenom macune pojava Panicum maximum znatno se smanjila 10 mjeseci nakon etabliranja mucune. Tako se relativna gustoća ove vrste smanjila na 18,28% u odnosu na 100%-tno pokrivenost tla utvrđenu vizualnom procjenom prije postavljanja pokusa

Assessment of some mechanical properties and microstructure of particulate periwinkle shell-aluminium 6063 metal matrix composite (PPS-ALMMC) produced by two-step casting

This work investigates some mechanical properties and microstructures of PPS-AlMMC and compares the properties of the composites and those of the aluminium 6063 (AA6063) alloy. Periwinkle shells were milled to particle sizes of 75μm and 150μm and used to produce PPS-AlMMC at 1,5,10 and 15wt% filler loadings using two-step casting technique. The mechanical properties and microstructures of the composite materials were compared with those of the AA6063 alloy. It was observed that the filler distributes uniformly in the matrix due to the two-step casting technique. Improved strength, ductility, hardness and modulus were obtained when the filler was used to reinforce the alloy. However, using a filler of bigger particle size resulted to reduced tensile strength, ductility and toughness of composites.Key words: Composites, Periwinkle shell, Aluminum, Mechanical properties, Microstructur

Chrysophyllum Albidum Accelerates Delayed Gastric Ulcer Healing in Rats Through Oxidative Stress Reversal and Proton Pump Inhibition

Background: Chrysophyllum albidum has been documented to exert its gastric ulcer (GU) healing activities by modulating blood inflammatory mediators, however, other probable in-vivo underlying mechanisms are still vague which this study sought to investigate.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (120-130g) divided into 9 groups (n=15 for groups I-VII; n=5 for groups VIII &amp; IX) viz: Groups I- positive control (DUnA); II and III–250 and 500mg/kg methanolic extract of C. albidum (MeCaB) bark respectively; IV, V and VI-100mg/kg fractions A, B and C respectively; VII–30mg/kg omeprazole; VIII-ulcerated untreated (baseline), IX-negative control. Chronic GU was induced experimentally and delayed using indomethacin with 14 days simultaneous drug treatment. Gastric ulcer score, mucin content, antioxidant and proton pump activities were evaluated by days 3, 7 and 14 of treatment. Data were expressed as Mean+SEM and P&lt;0.05 was significant.Results: C. albidum and fractions treated groups significantly decreased gastric ulcer scores and lipid peroxidation compared with DUnA. Negative control, C. albidum and fraction treated groups significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione levels and mucin content compared with DUnA group by days 3 and 7. C. albidum, Negative and baseline control groups significantly decreased H+K+ATPase activities compared with DUnA by day14.Conclusion: C. albidum and its fractions facilitated the healing of gastric ulcer, probably by enhanced antioxidant levels, mucin content and decreased gastric H+K+ATPase activity. Keywords: C. albidum and chromatographic fractions, gastric ulcer healing, mucin , antioxidant, H+/K+ATPase pump

Prevalence and Predictors of Urinary Tract Infection and Severe Malaria Among Febrile Children Attending Makongoro Health Centre in Mwanza City, North-Western Tanzania.

In malaria endemic areas, fever has been used as an entry point for presumptive treatment of malaria. At present, the decrease in malaria transmission in Africa implies an increase in febrile illnesses related to other causes among underfives. Moreover, it is estimated that more than half of the children presenting with fever to public clinics in Africa do not have a malaria infection. Thus, for a better management of all febrile illnesses among under-fives, it becomes relevant to understand the underlying aetiology of the illness. The present study was conducted to determine the relative prevalence and predictors of P. falciparum malaria, urinary tract infections and bacteremia among under-fives presenting with a febrile illness at the Makongoro Primary Health Centre, North-Western Tanzania. From February to June 2011, a cross-sectional analytical survey was conducted among febrile children less than five years of age. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a standardized pre-tested questionnaire. Blood and urine culture was done, followed by the identification of isolates using in-house biochemical methods. Susceptibility patterns to commonly used antibiotics were investigated using the disc diffusion method. Giemsa stained thin and thick blood smears were examined for any malaria parasites stages. A total of 231 febrile under-fives were enrolled in the study. Of all the children, 20.3% (47/231, 95%CI, 15.10-25.48), 9.5% (22/231, 95%CI, 5.72-13.28) and 7.4% (17/231, 95%CI, 4.00-10.8) had urinary tract infections, P. falciparum malaria and bacteremia respectively. In general, 11.5% (10/87, 95%CI, 8.10-14.90) of the children had two infections and only one child had all three infections. Predictors of urinary tract infections (UTI) were dysuria (OR = 12.51, 95% CI, 4.28-36.57, P < 0.001) and body temperature (40-41 C) (OR = 12.54, 95% CI, 4.28-36.73, P < 0.001). Predictors of P. falciparum severe malaria were pallor (OR = 4.66 95%CI, 1.21-17.8, P = 0.025) and convulsion (OR = 102, 95% CI, 10-996, P = 0.001). Escherichia coli were the common gram negative isolates from urine (72.3%, 95% CI, 66.50-78.10) and blood (40%, 95%CI, and 33.70-46.30). Escherichia coli from urine were 100% resistant to ampicillin, 97% resistant to co-trimoxazole, 85% resistant to augmentin and 32.4% resistant to gentamicin; and they were 100%, 91.2% and 73.5% sensitive to meropenem, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone respectively. Urinary tract infection caused by multi drug resistant Escherichia coli was the common cause of febrile illness in our setting. Improvement of malaria diagnosis and its differential diagnosis from other causes of febrile illnesses may provide effective management of febrile illnesses among children in Tanzania

The role of soil carbon sequestration in enhancing human resilience in tackling global crises including pandemics

International audienc

The training and professional expectations of medical students in Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the professional expectations of medical students during the 2007-2008 academic year at the public medical schools of Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, and to identify their social and geographical origins, their professional expectations and difficulties relating to their education and professional future.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected through a standardised questionnaire applied to all medical students registered during the 2007-2008 academic year.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Students decide to study medicine at an early age. Relatives and friends seem to have an especially important influence in encouraging, reinforcing and promoting the desire to be a doctor.</p> <p>The degree of feminization of the student population differs among the different countries.</p> <p>Although most medical students are from outside the capital cities, expectations of getting into medical school are already associated with migration from the periphery to the capital city, even before entering medical education.</p> <p>Academic performance is poor. This seems to be related to difficulties in accessing materials, finances and insufficient high school preparation.</p> <p>Medical students recognize the public sector demand but their expectations are to combine public sector practice with private work, in order to improve their earnings. Salary expectations of students vary between the three countries.</p> <p>Approximately 75% want to train as hospital specialists and to follow a hospital-based career. A significant proportion is unsure about their future area of specialization, which for many students is equated with migration to study abroad.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Medical education is an important national investment, but the returns obtained are not as efficient as expected. Investments in high-school preparation, tutoring, and infrastructure are likely to have a significant impact on the success rate of medical schools. Special attention should be given to the socialization of students and the role model status of their teachers.</p> <p>In countries with scarce medical resources, the hospital orientation of students' expectations is understandable, although it should be associated with the development of skills to coordinate hospital work with the network of peripheral facilities. Developing a local postgraduate training capacity for doctors might be an important strategy to help retain medical doctors in the home country.</p

Uncovering treatment burden as a key concept for stroke care: a systematic review of qualitative research

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; Patients with chronic disease may experience complicated management plans requiring significant personal investment. This has been termed ‘treatment burden’ and has been associated with unfavourable outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the qualitative literature on treatment burden in stroke from the patient perspective.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods and findings&lt;/b&gt; The search strategy centred on: stroke, treatment burden, patient experience, and qualitative methods. We searched: Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, and PsycINFO. We tracked references, footnotes, and citations. Restrictions included: English language, date of publication January 2000 until February 2013. Two reviewers independently carried out the following: paper screening, data extraction, and data analysis. Data were analysed using framework synthesis, as informed by Normalization Process Theory. Sixty-nine papers were included. Treatment burden includes: (1) making sense of stroke management and planning care, (2) interacting with others, (3) enacting management strategies, and (4) reflecting on management. Health care is fragmented, with poor communication between patient and health care providers. Patients report inadequate information provision. Inpatient care is unsatisfactory, with a perceived lack of empathy from professionals and a shortage of stimulating activities on the ward. Discharge services are poorly coordinated, and accessing health and social care in the community is difficult. The study has potential limitations because it was restricted to studies published in English only and data from low-income countries were scarce.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt; Stroke management is extremely demanding for patients, and treatment burden is influenced by micro and macro organisation of health services. Knowledge deficits mean patients are ill equipped to organise their care and develop coping strategies, making adherence less likely. There is a need to transform the approach to care provision so that services are configured to prioritise patient needs rather than those of health care systems