Non-parametric data optimization for 2D laser based people tracking

© 2017 IEEE. Generally, a model on describing human motion patterns should have an ability to enhance tracking performance particularly when dealing with long term occlusions. These patterns can be efficiently learned by applying Gaussian Processes (GPs). However, the GPs can become computationally expensive with increasing training data with time. Thus, with the proposed data selection and management using Mutual Information (MI) and Mahalanobis Distance (MD)approach, we have be able to keep the necessary portion of informative data and discard the others. This approach is then experimented by using the measurements of horizontal 2D scan of public area of our research centre with a stationary laser range finder. Experimental results show that even 90% reduction of data did not contribute to significantly increased Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Implementation of Gaussian Process - Particle filter tracker for people tracking with long term occlusions produces a remarkable tracking performance when compared to Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) tracker

Effect of whole-body vibration on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children

Background and purpose: Spastic diplegia is a common form of cerebral palsy (CP) and is characterized by spasticity and muscle weakness of both lower limbs resulting in decreased walking ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) training on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children after 12-weeks treatment.Methods: Thirty spastic diplegic CP children (8–12 years) were randomized to two equal groups, control group and WBV group. The control group received a selected physical therapy treatment program for spastic diplegic CP and the WBV group received the same program in addition to WBV training. Measurements of isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity, walking speed, walking balance and gross motor function were performed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment program.Results: Isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity and the walking speed were significantly improved only in the WBV group (P < 0.05). Growth motor function measure-88 (GMFM-88) (D%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in both groups in favor of the WBV group and GMFM-88 (E%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) only in the WBV group, while walking balance did not change significantly in either group.Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that 12-weeks’ intervention of whole-body vibration training can increase knee extensors strength and decrease spasticity with beneficial effects on walking speed and motor development in spastic diplegic CP childrenKeywords: Whole body vibration; Cerebral palsy; Spastic diplegia; Walking balance; Motor developmen

Effect of resistance and aerobic exercises on bone mineral density, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia

Background and purpose: Children with hemophilia are at risk for reduced bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength and functional ability as a result of reduced leisure-time activity and less involvement in intense activities. So, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance and aerobic exercise program on BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia.Materials and methods: Thirty boys with hemophilia A ranging in age from 10 to 14 years had participated in this study. They were assigned randomly into two equal groups (control and study groups). Control group received a designed physical therapy program and aerobic exercise in the form of treadmill training, while the study group received the same program as the control group in addition to resistance training program in the form of bicycle ergometer training and weight resistance. Both groups received treatment sessions three times per week for three successive months. BMD, muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors and functional ability were evaluated before and after the 3 months of treatment program.Results: There was no significant difference between both groups in the pre-treatment mean values of all measured variables. Significant improvement was observed in BMD, knee extensors and flexors strength, and functional ability in the study group when comparing pre and post treatment measurements. There was a significant improvement in functional ability of the control group. Significant difference was also observed between both groups when comparing the post treatment measurements in favor of the study group.Conclusion: Based on obtained data, it can be concluded that, resistance and aerobic exercise training program is effective in increasing BMD, muscle strength and functional ability in children with hemophilia.Keywords: Hemophilia; Resistance; Aerobic exercise; Bone mineral density; Strength; Functional abilit

Attenuation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using zerumbone

Zerumbone is a natural compound isolated from the fresh rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet. This bioactive compound has shown a chemo-preventive, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities. This study examines the effect of zerumbone on the extent of tissue damage in cisplatininduced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats received a single dose injection of 10 mg/kg cisplatin. Other groups of rats received zerumbone (100 and 200 mg/kg), corn oil or the vehicle, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) intraperitoneally for 4 days prior to cisplatin-injections. All animals were decapitated 16 h after cisplatin injection. Trunk blood was collected and analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. Kidney tissue was kept for the quantification of malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Histopathological investigations were carried out and the severity of lesions was scored to obtain quantitative data. Our study revealed that zerumbone reduced kidney damage and preserved renal functions as proved by microscopic observations and lesion scoring. The increased in kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with simultaneous glutathione (GSH) reduction in cisplatin treated group was attenuated by zerumbone (p < 0.05). It was concluded that zerumbone is beneficial in cisplatininducedrenal dysfunction and organ damage in rats possibly via the prevention of lipid per oxidation and preservation of antioxidant glutathione

Occupational hazard perception and safety practices among workers of small-scale industries in Kano, Nigeria

Work-related injuries present a major public health problem resulting in serious social and economic consequences that could be prevented by adopting appropriate occupational health and safety measures Objective: This study assessed occupational hazard perception, safety practices and associated factors among workers of small scale industries in Kano. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to study 187 randomly selected workers of Small Scale Industries. Data was collected using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22. Results: The mean age of the workers was 24.41 ± 6.20 years with a range of 15 to 52 years. A thirdof the workers (35.3%) had at least secondary school education and most (88.3%) had worked for 10 years or less. Overall, 95.7% of the workers have good perception about occupational hazards and safety and 92.0% believed that exposure to hazards of work may affect their health. Up to 67.9% of the respondents reported being caught-up in at least one form of occupational accident, most common were dislocation (39.4%) and burns (19.7%). Most of the workers (97.3%) reported that their industries do not have any policy on health and safety and 73.8% had never been trained or advised on safety procedures. Only 49(26.2%) reported having safety measure(s) against specific accidents in their workplaces. Conclusion: Most SSIs in Kano do not have policy on health and safety. Factory inspectors should ensure effective compliance monitoring and enforcementof safety guidelines in these industries

A study on Prevalence of Drug Resistance in Drug Default Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: The emergence of resistance to drugs used to treat tuberculosis (TB), and particularly multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective global TB control.Method: This is a prospective randomized cross sectional study to estimate the magnitude of MDR tuberculosis in two hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan. 111 patients who had defaulted their tuberculosis treatment on previous occasions and had presented to the hospital with several symptoms were studied. All patients provided sputum, which was examined for the presence of acid fast bacilli (AFB) by Ziehl- Neelsen stain. Sputa were also sent to the reference laboratory for mycobacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing. All culture positive sputa had drug sensitivity tested to the first line anti-TB drugs used in Sudan namely Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol.Results: Out of the 111 patients, 29.7% (n=33) were AFB sputum smear positive and 40.5% (n=45) were sputum culture positive for  mycobacterium. Sensitivity testing revealed that 48.9% (n=22) were resistant to Streptomycin, 62.2% (n=28) were resistant to Isoniazid, 55.6% (n=25) were resistant to Rifampicin and 37.8% (n=17) were resistantto Ethambutol. 42% ( n=19) of the patients were resistant to Rifampicin and Isoniazid only, while 26.6% (n=12) were resistant to all the first line drugs (Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol).Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of MDR tuberculosis among the defaulters in Khartoum is much higher than what was reported previously. This study highlights the extent of the problem of drug resistance in Khartoum and emphasises the need for proper treatment andstrengthening of the short course direct observed therapy strategy

Knowledge of hospital waste, and safe management practices among healthcare workers in aminu kano teaching hospital, Northwest Nigeria

Management of healthcare waste (HCW) has continued to generate increasing public health interest due to the health problems associated with exposure of human beings to wastes, arising from healthcare services. Objective: This study assessed knowledge of hospital waste, and safe management practices among healthcare workers in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northwest Nigeria. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to study 152 healthcare workers in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using semistructured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.3±6.4 years with about one-half 77(50.7%) within the age range of ≥35 years. Majority 108(71.1%) of the healthcare workers were males and 145(95.4%) had tertiary education. Doctors constituted 44(28.9%) with up to 105(69.1%) respondents employed less than 10 years ago. Majority of the respondents 123(80.9%) versus 120(78.9%) had satisfactory knowledge and safe hospital waste management practices respectively. Statistically significant association was found between attending training on hospital waste management and having satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste management (χ²=11.8, p-value=0.001) with those who had previous training on hospital waste management to been 4 times more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste management than those with no previous training on hospital waste management {AOR=3.7, 95%CI=(1.3-10.8)}. Satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste was found to be statistically associated with correct hospital waste management practices (χ²=30.4, p-value<0.001), healthcare workers with satisfactory knowledge had many folds likelihood of safe hospital waste management practice {AOR=9,95%CI= (2.9- 28.4)}.Conclusions:Knowledge of hospital waste and safe waste management practices were encouraging and associated with formal training on hospital waste management. Therefore, Hospital management should ensure regular training and re-training of healthcare workers

Evaluating the suitability of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp for the production of yoghurt

The potentials of neglected and under-utilized plant species (NUS) to enhance food security and safety has been highlighted in recent years. NUS have the potential to fight malnutrition and improve human health particularly in Africa. Despite their potentials, there is still a huge  knowledge gap as to their potential effect when used to fortify foods. This research was conducted to evaluate the suitability of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp for yoghurt production using different mixtures of milk and A. digitata fruit pulp powder in ratios of 4:1, 3:2, 2:3, 1:4 and 5:0. Proximate and mineral content analysis was conducted using the AOAC method. Sensorial analysis was done and the outcome informed the choice of  samples analysed for volatile compounds profile by GC-MS analysis of the chloroform extract. The proximate composition of the yoghurt samples increased with the addition of A. digitata pulp powder and the results  showed that the ratio of 2:3 had highest lipid content (5.5%) and fiber, 1:4 had highest protein content (5.65%) while commercial yoghurt had trace ash and no fiber. Calcium content was highest in the mixture; 2:3 and 4:1 (0.5 mg/kg), 2:3 had highest magnesium content (0.8 mg/kg) and  potassium content was highest in 4:1 (1250 mg/kg) respectively. Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis revealed that 2:3 mixture had  eleven (11) volatile metabolites, 1:4 had (9) while plain powder also had (9) volatile metabolites. This study shows that  incorporation of A. digitata fruit pulp increased the bioavailability of  nutrients, minerals and a volatile metabolite with medicinal properties. The fortification of yoghurt in the ratio of 2:3 A. digitatato milk is suitable and could lead to reduction in yoghurt price and create job.Keywords: Adansonia, GC-MS, volatile metabolites, yoghurt

Intra-colonial Population of Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) [Isoptera: Termitidae] in Sokoto, Semi-Arid Zone of North-Western Nigeria

The intra- colonial population of individuals within the mounds of mound- building termite, Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) occurring in some selected Local Government Areas of Sokoto State were studied. A total of 72 cone shaped mounds were selected based on their heights. Populationswere estimated by randomly collecting and counting core samples from the mounds using a small bucket as the mounds were being excavated. At the end of the excavation, the total sand removed from the mound was crushed and measured using the same bucket. Total number of termites from a mound was extrapolated from the above estimates. Results indicate the presence of five different castes; reproductives, workers, minor and major soldiers and nymphs. The population of individuals per moundapart from the reproductives, ranged between 14158.00 and 24777.67 with an average of 18,795.49 termites per mound. The nymphs were the largest (5,942.60) closely followed by the workers (5,547.70), while the minor soldiers are the least with 3,279.38. Significant difference (p<0.05) occurred between minor soldiers and nymphs, major soldiers and nymphs, minor soldiers and workers and minor soldiers and nymphs in some of the studied areas. The present study show M. bellicosus to have high population within individual mounds enough to cause damage if ignored. Being a pestiferous species that could promote erosion, appropriate control strategies are required for its control.Key words: Macrotermes bellicosus, Mounds- building termites, intra-colonial Population, Mounds, Castes

Acute pancreatitis in children: an experience with 50 cases

Background/purpose Acute pancreatitis in childhood is not common. It can be associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The role of clinical evaluation is vital as it can be misdiagnosed easily. The objective of this study was to review the etiology, presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of acute pancreatitis in children and to assess the relevance of currently available prognostic criteria.Patients and methods Fifty children with acute pancreatitis admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit at the Al-Azhar University Hospitals, within the period January 1998 to December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. They were diagnosed by clinical examination, laboratory, and radiological investigations, as well as by abdominal exploration.Results There were 25 boys and 25 girls. The median age was 9 years (range: 2–17 years). In the majority of cases, the main cause of acute pancreatic was idiopathic (17 patients), followed by trauma (10 patients). Most of the patients presented with abdominal pain (10 cases), vomiting (nine cases), jaundice (five cases), and an abdominal mass in computed tomography (48 cases).Conclusion Trauma is a major cause of pancreatitis in children. Early diagnosis, close monitoring, and proper intervention are mandatory to reduce the potential morbidity and mortality.Keywords: acute pancreatitis, children, morbidity, traum