Application of Ground and Aeromagnetics as Reconnaissance Tool for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria

In addition to ground magnetic survey carried out in the study area to appraise its hydrocarbon potentials, three aeromagnetic maps on a scale 1:100,000 covering part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough were manually digitized and analysed using computer-based programmes such as HDEP, SURFIT, MFINITE, MFFILTER, MFDESIGN, JMERGER, FRTP, PC CONTOUR, P2 GRID, OASIS MONTAJ, GEOCON AND SURFER 9.0 to determine the depth to basement as well as the configuration of the sub-basins within the study area. The average depth of the shallow and deep basins is 1.5Km and 2.5Km respectively with Nkum axis of the Ikom Embayment having the thickest sediments (about 4.0Km). The presence of few intrusives, thick pile of sediments and faults around Nkum- Edor area of Ikom Embayment indicates that they may have good prospects for hydrocarbon accumulation.

Trustworthy Cross-Border Interoperable Identity System for Developing Countries

Foundational identity systems (FIDS) have been used to optimise service delivery and inclusive economic growth in developing countries. As developing nations increasingly seek to use FIDS for the identification and authentication of identity (ID) holders, trustworthy interoperability will help to develop a cross-border dimension of e-Government. Despite this potential, there has not been any significant research on the interoperability of FIDS in the African identity ecosystem. There are several challenges to this; on one hand, complex internal political dynamics have resulted in weak institutions, implying that FIDS could be exploited for political gains. On the other hand, the trust in the government by the citizens or ID holders is habitually low, in which case, data security and privacy protection concerns become paramount. In the same sense, some FIDS are technology-locked, thus interoperability is primarily ambiguous. There are also issues of cross-system compatibility, legislation, vendor-locked system design principles and unclear regulatory provisions for data sharing. Fundamentally, interoperability is an essential prerequisite for e-Government services and underpins optimal service delivery in education, social security, and financial services including gender and equality as already demonstrated by the European Union. Furthermore, cohesive data exchange through an interoperable identity system will create an ecosystem of efficient data governance and the integration of cross-border FIDS. Consequently, this research identifies the challenges, opportunities, and requirements for cross-border interoperability in an African context. Our findings show that interoperability in the African identity ecosystem is vital to strengthen the seamless authentication and verification of ID holders for inclusive economic growth and widen the dimensions of e-Government across the continent.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, In 2023 Trustworthy Digital Identity International Conference, Bengaluru, Indi

Weekday and weekend days correlates of sedentary time and screen-Based behaviors in children

The aim of this study was to compare weekday and weekend day correlates of sedentary time, as well as some specific screen-based behaviors, in a sample of 213 Spanish six to eleven year-olds (8.68 +/- 1.75 years), 76 boys (8.79 +/- 1.75 years) and 137 girls (8.73 +/- 1.75 years), who wore GT3X accelerometers for 7 days. Screen-based behaviors were reported by parents through questionnaires. Different potential correlates of sedentary time and screen-based behaviors were measured, and data were analyzed using general univariate linear models and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed high levels of screen-based behaviors, both during weekdays and weekend days. From the different significant correlates for each screen-based behavior analyzed, gender, age, hours of extracurricular PA, children''s MVPA and having a TV in the bedroom were identified as the main correlates in most of the behaviors analyzed. The design of multicomponent intervention programs seems advisable. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar diferentes determinantes de tiempo sedentario en días entre semana y fines de semana, así como determinados comportamientos de consumo de pantallas, en una muestra de 213 niños de 6 a 11 (8.68 ±1.75) años, 76 chicos (8.79 ±1.75) y 137 chicas (8.73±1.75). El tiempo sedentario fue determinado mediante acelerómetros GT3X, que los sujetos llevaron durante 7 días. Los diferentes comportamientos de consumo de pantallas fueron reportados por los padres mediante cuestionarios. Se midieron diferentes potenciales determinantes de tiempo sedentario y consumo de pantallas, y los datos fueron analizados mediante modelos lineales univariantes y análisis de regresión múltiple. Los resultados revelaron altos niveles de consumo de pantallas, tanto en días entre semana como en fines de semana. De los diferentes determinantes para cada tipo de comportamiento de consumo de pantallas analizados, el género, la edad, las horas de AF extracurricular, la AFMV de los niños y tener una TV en el dormitorio, fueron identificados como los principales. El diseño de programas multicomponentes de intervención parece recomendable

The impact of an enlightenment program on community perception towards children with epilepsy

Background: Epilepsy is associated with social stigma and discrimination which is often harmful and devastating. Lack of knowledge and misconception is responsible for these negative attitudes. Public awareness and education are known to improve perception towards epileptics.Methods: A sensitization workshop among community leaders on epilepsy was carried out in a rural community in Cross River State, Nigeria. A pretest questionnaire was administered to participants based on items related to knowledge and perception towards epileptics. The respondents were offered a 2-hour workshop on the causes, types, cure and myths about epilepsy. The same questionnaire was again applied after the workshop. The responses before and after intervention were compared using the McNemar test statistic, with a significance level at p<0.05.Results: Seventy-two respondents participated in the study comprising of 42 (58.3%) males and 30 (41.7%) females. Twenty-eight (38.9%) had primary education and the same number had tertiary education. There was a positive correlation between level of education and performances in the perception towards various domains of epilepsy. Statistical significant differences were found in perceptions regarding cure, mode of contracting epilepsy and potentials of epileptics. However, no statistical difference in perception after the intervention regarding marriage to epileptics.Conclusions: Respondents with higher level of education demonstrated significantly better awareness and attitude towards epileptics compared to those with lower levels the intervention package produced a significant improvement in most domains of perception about epilepsy. Public enlightenment is effective in reducing social stigma and discrimination. It should be encouraged to curtail the negative attitude and perception towards epileptics

Using post-flood surveys and geomorphologic mapping to evaluate hydrological and hydraulic models: The flash flood of the Girona River (Spain) in 2007

This paper analyzes the Girona River (Spain) flash flood, occurred on the 12th of October 2007, combining hydrological and hydraulic modeling with geomorphologic mapping and post-flood survey information. This research aims to reproduce the flood event in order to understand and decipher the flood processes and dynamics on a system of prograding alluvial fans. The hydrological model TETIS was used to characterize the shape and dimension of the October 2007 Girona River hydrograph. Subsequently, the flood event was reproduced using the free surface flow module of the model RiverFlow2D. The combination of hydrological and hydraulic models was evaluated using post-flood surveys defining maximum flooded area and flood depths. Then, simulations with different peak discharges were carried out to estimate the hydro-geomorphologic response of the Girona River floodplain, through the identification of the activation thresholds in different geomorphic elements. Results showed that the unit peak discharge of the October 2007 flood event (5 m3 s&#8722;1 km&#8722;2) was among the largest ever recorded in the area, according to the existing literature. Likewise, the hydraulic model showed a good performance in reproducing the flood event (FitA = 76%, RMSE = 0.65 m and NSE = 0.6), despite the complexity of the case, an ephemeral and ungauged river. The model simulation revealed the existence of an activation pattern of paleochannels and alluvial fans, which was altered by the presence of some anthropogenic disturbances. This multidisciplinary approach proved to be a useful strategy for understanding flash flood processes in ungauged catchments. It allowed understanding the mechanisms governing floods in alluvial fans systems and it represented a solid contribution for early warning plans and risk mitigation policies.This collaborative research was financed with the projects CGL2013-44917-R and SLWAMED CGL2014-58127-C3-2, of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Spanish Government. Both projects were co-financed with FEDER funds. The observed rainfall and water discharge records were provided by "Sistema Automatic de Information Hidrologica (SAIH)", which belongs to the CHJ (Spain). This work was also possible due to the kind cooperation of the members of the Plataforma Ciutadana Riu Girona and several anonymous farmers interviewed during the field works. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their useful and thought-provoking comments.Segura-Beltrán, F.; Sanchis Ibor, C.; Morales-Hernández, M.; González-Sanchis, MDC.; Bussi, G.; Ortiz, E. (2016). Using post-flood surveys and geomorphologic mapping to evaluate hydrological and hydraulic models: The flash flood of the Girona River (Spain) in 2007. Journal of Hydrology. 541(Part A):310-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.04.039S310329541Part

Hydrodynamics Model of Temperature Variation due to Gas Flaring activities in some parts of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

This research is investigating the Hydrodynamics Model of Temperature Variation due to Gas Flaring activities in some parts of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The unsteady flow of radiative heat flux is represented using mathematical techniques to model the basic equations of fluid in motion by radiative transfer process using general differential forms. Laplace transform is used to obtain expressions for Temperature, Velocity, etc to solve problems of heat flow. The use the continuity, momentum, Navier-Stokes, Dasey and Energy equations is exploited. The results show that radiation parameter influences the variation of temperature distribution in the environment

Dissemination, implementation, and evaluation of an effective school-based intervention to promote physical activity in adolescents: a study protocol

Adolescents around the world do not engage in sufficient physical activity and the Spanish context is no exception. Understanding the educational context as a complex system, school-based multi-level and multi-component interventions seem to be an effective strategy to reverse this trend. Moreover, a co-creational approach seems to facilitate the mobilization of community partnerships and the engagement of stakeholders in the intervention process. This study aims to describe the dissemination, implementation, and evaluation process of an effective school-based intervention program in another setting using the replicating effective programs framework and a co-participatory approach. This study will be conducted in two Spanish secondary schools located in the region of Aragon (experimental vs. control school) in a sample of adolescents in the second grade (13–14 years old). To evaluate the effectiveness, different health behaviors such as physical activity, sleep, sedentary time with screens, nutrition, and psychosocial variables will be quantitatively measured at baseline and after the implementation of the intervention. Qualitative methods will also be used to better understand the implementation process and the co-creation approach, as well as to provide insights into the sustainability of the intervention program. The current study has the potential to provide strong information about the dissemination, implementation, and evaluation process of school-based programs to promote healthy behaviors among adolescents

Tratamiento renal conservador en ancianos con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada

Fundamento. Los resultados en salud del tratamiento renal sustitutivo (TRS) en el anciano han hecho que el tratamiento renal conservador (TRC) sea una opción terapéutica en la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre la evolución de estos pacientes, por lo que el objetivo fue analizar la supervivencia de los pacientes ancianos en TRS y TRC y evaluar el efecto de las variables relacionadas con el inicio de ambos tratamientos. Método. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo de pacientes >75 años en TRS y TRC. Se realizó un análisis de supervivencia incluyendo la valoración de la función renal y variables demográficas y clínicas, comorbilidad, fragilidad y situación funcional, cognitiva, nutricional y social. Resultados. Cohorte de 37 pacientes en TRS y 82 en TRC. Los pacientes en TRC eran significativamente más ancianos, con mayor frecuencia de evento vascular, mayor comorbilidad (Charlson>8), peor situación funcional (Barthel), mayor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo (Pfeiffer) y malnutrición (MNA-SF), y mayor fragilidad y deterioro sociofamiliar. La tasa de mortalidad fue inferior en pacientes en TRS (8, 7 vs 23/1.000 pacientes-mes; HR= 0, 37; p=0, 018) pero el ajuste por los diferentes síndromes geriátricos analizados redujo considerablemente esta ventaja de supervivencia. Conclusiones. La comorbilidad medida por el índice de Charlson fue predictor independiente de mortalidad en pacientes ancianos con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada. En aquellos pacientes ancianos con Charlson mayor de 8 puntos el TRS no mejoró la supervivencia respecto del TRC. Background. The poor health outcomes of Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in the elderly has promoted Conservative Management (CM) as a therapeutic option in advanced chronic kidney disease. However, there is still a lack of evidence about prognosis of these patients; thus, the aim was to analyze the survival rate of elderly patients under CM and RRT and evaluate the variables related to the initiation of such treatments in clinical practice. Methods. Prospective cohort study of RRT and CM patients older than 75 years. Renal function parameters and geriatric assessments were carried out. This evaluation included: analysis of comorbidity, functional, cognitive, frailty, nutritional and socio-family status. Results. Cohort of 37 RRT and 82 CM patients. CM patients were significantly older, with more frequency of history of vascular event, more comorbility (Charlson), worse functional situation (Barthel), higher risks of cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer) and malnutrition (MNA-SF), and higher frailty and socio-familiar impairment. Mortality rate was lower in RRT patients (8.72 vs. 3/1, 000 patients/month; HR= 0.37, p=0.018), but survival advantage reduced drastically after adjustment for the different geriatric syndromes analyzed. Conclusions. Charlson’s comorbidity was found to be an independent mortality predictor in elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Dialysis did not improve survival with respect to conservative treatment in patients with Charlson higher than 8 points

Riverhood: political ecologies of socionature commoning and translocal struggles for water justice

Mega-damming, pollution and depletion endanger rivers worldwide. Meanwhile, modernist imaginaries of ordering ‘unruly waters and humans’ have become cornerstones of hydraulic-bureaucratic and capitalist development. They separate hydro/social worlds, sideline river-commons cultures, and deepen socio-environmental injustices. But myriad new water justice movements (NWJMs) proliferate: rooted, disruptive, transdisciplinary, multi-scalar coalitions that deploy alternative river–society ontologies, bridge South–North divides, and translate river-enlivening practices from local to global and vice-versa. This paper's framework conceptualizes ‘riverhood’ to engage with NWJMs and river commoning initiatives. We suggest four interrelated ontologies, situating river socionatures as arenas of material, social and symbolic co-production: ‘river-as-ecosociety’, ‘river-as-territory’, ‘river-as-subject’, and ‘river-as-movement’

Cross-national variations in reported discrimination among people treated for major depression worldwide: The ASPEN/INDIGO international study

Background: No study has so far explored differences in discrimination reported by people with major depressive disorder (MDD) across countries and cultures. Aims: To (a) compare reported discrimination across different countries, and (b) explore the relative weight of individual and contextual factors in explaining levels of reported discrimination in people with MDD. Method: Cross-sectional multisite international survey (34 countries worldwide) of 1082 people with MDD. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were assessed by the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC). Countries were classified according to their rating on the Human Development Index (HDI). Multilevel negative binomial and Poisson models were used. Results: People living in 'very high HDI' countries reported higher discrimination than those in 'medium/low HDI' countries. Variation in reported discrimination across countries was only partially explained by individual-level variables. The contribution of country-level variables was significant for anticipated discrimination only. Conclusions: Contextual factors play an important role in anticipated discrimination. Country-specific interventions should be implemented to prevent discrimination towards people with MDD