Activity concentration of natural radionuclides and assessment of the associated radiological hazards in the marine croaker (pseudotolitus typus) fish from two coastal areas of Nigeria

The risk assessment associated with radionuclide contamination of Marine Croaker fish widely consumed in two coastal areas of Nigeria was carried out. The activity concentrations of the three radionuclides Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th), and Potassium-40 (40K) present in the fish samples were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiological hazard of consuming this fish was assessed by calculating the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), internal hazard index (Hin) of the radionuclides as well as the ingestion effective dose values due to ingestion of radionuclides from fish per year. Comparison of the values obtained from the radiation hazard assessments with the maximum permissible levels of 370 Bq kg-1 for Raeq and 1 for Hin recommended by UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) (UNSCEAR, 2000) shows that consumption of the contaminated Croaker fish from these two coastal areas studied poses great radiological hazards to the public

Determination of Some Selected Thermal Properties of Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

In this study, some selected thermal properties (specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity) in the moisture content range of 5.0-5.6% or green and 4.80 – 5.20% for white varieties of pumpkin seeds were determined. The specific heat was measured using mixture method while the thermal conductivity was measured by transient technique using the heat line source. The green pumpkin seed has average moisture content of 5.2% higher than moisture content of white pumpkin seed of average 4.8%. The average specific heat values of green pumpkin seed are 6.171kJ/kgK and white pumpkin seed 4.327kJ/kgK. The thermal conductivity values for white pumpkin seed ranged from 0.074 to 0.288 W/m°C while that for green pumpkin seed ranged from 0.079 to 0.433 W/m°C. The thermal diffusivity values for green pumpkin ranged from 0.0011 to 0.06 m2/s while that for white pumpkin seed ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 m2/s. It was concluded that the higher the moisture content (5.2%) the higher the value of specific heat of seed (6.171kJ/kgK). It can also be concluded that the thermal conductivity (0.079 to 0.433 W/m°C) value is higher with high moisture content (5.2%)

Nosocomial infections and the challenges of control in developing countries.

Nosocomial infection is a recognized public health problem world-wide with a prevalence rate of 3.0-20.7% and an incidence rate of 5-10%. It has become increasingly obvious that infections acquired in the hospital lead to increased morbidity and mortality which has added noticeably to economic burden. However, after about three decades of nosocomial infection surveillance and control world-wide, it still remains an important problem for hospitals today. Studies have shown that most hospitals in developing countries especially Africa, have no effective infection control programme due to lack of awareness of the problem, lack of personnel, poor water supply, erratic electricity supply, ineffective antibiotic policies with emergence of multiply antibiotic resistant microbes, poor laboratory backup, poor funding and non-adherence to safe practices by health workers. It is recommended that the cost of hospital infection control programme should be included in the health budget of the country and fund allocated for the infection control committee for routine control purposes and to bear the cost of outbreaks. There is need for adequate staffing and continuous education of staff on the principles of infection control, especially hand washing which is the single most important effective measure to reduce the risks of cross infection.

Knowledge And Attitude Of Nigerians On Snoring As A Health Problem

Abstract is simply that of adaptation , hence many do not This is a cross sectional study on snoring was consider it worthwhile to seek medical attention. There conducted among adults aged 18 years and above at is need to create public awareness on snoring as a Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling treatable health problem that require detailed technique using the primary health care (PHC) House evaluation with definitive medical, surgical and numbering was used to select households from which ancillary treatment of the condition. adult subjects were interviewed. 400 subjects were Key words: Low knowledge, attitude, Nigerians, sampled, 383 consented and completed the survey. This Snoring. gave a participatory rate of 96%. Introduction Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires on Snoring is the production of sound from the knowledge, attitude of Nigerians on snoring as a health upper aero digestive tract during sleep due to turbulent problem were administered to the subjects by trained airflow 1. It is part of sleep disordered breathing (SPB) research assistants. Completed questionnaires were which ranged from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) at analyzed using EPI 2000 software package. one end to simple snoring at the other end 2. A total of 383 subjects were interviewed in the One of the most important risk factors associated with age range of 18-60 years (mean of 29.09 ±1.23 years) snoring is obesity. Over two-thirds of individuals with There were 194 females (50.7%) and 189 males Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) are 20% (49.3%) with a male/female sex ratio of 0.97 to 1.0. On above their ideal body weight 3. Obese individual have consideration of snoring as a health problem, majority enlarged neck size which make them to be prone to of the respondents 202 (52.7%) did not feel so, 147 snoring as their tongues fall back during sleep leading (38.4%) considered it as a health problem while 34 to obstruction 4. (8.9%) were undecided. Only 42 (11%) admitted they According to WHO, in 2005, there are 400 were told they snore, 290 (75.7%) do not snore while 51 million obese individuals in the world with a projection (13.3%) do not know if they snore. of 700 million by 2015 4. Obesity co-exists with the The age distribution showed increase of snorers with problem of under nutrition in developing countries increasing age, from 7.1% among 16-20 and 21-25 year affecting all ages and socio economic groups due age groups to 26.2% in 45years and above. probably to consumption of more energy dense, On the knowledge of predisposing factors of nutrient poor foods with high levels of sugar and snoring, 356 (93.5%) agreed that overweight/obesity is saturated fats 4. strongly associated, alcohol consumption in 206 Obesity rate has risen three folds or more since (53.8%), cigarette smoking among 169 (44.0%), 1980 in North America, United Kingdom, Eastern fatigue and tiredness in 94 (24.6%) and upper airway Europe, Middle East, Pacific Islands, Australia and obstructions amongst 68 (17.8%). On attitudes towards China 3. Other risk factors associated with snoring/ snorers, 71.1% claimed they adapt to it, only 23.3% OSAS include diabetes, hypertension, stroke and were disturbed and 15.4% simply ignore it. There was certain form of cancers 5, 6. no significant difference in gender and age group of the The clinical features associated with OSAS respondents in relation to whether they snore or not. include nocturnal symptoms such as loud snoring, The knowledge of snoring as a health problem fragmented sleep, apneas, restless sleep, among Nigerians is quite low despite their awareness of oesopharyngeal reflux and dry mouth with nightmares the predisposing factors/causes of snoring and attitudeis simply that of adaptation , hence many do not This is a cross sectional study on snoring was consider it worthwhile to seek medical attention. There conducted among adults aged 18 years and above at is need to create public awareness on snoring as a Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling treatable health problem that require detailed technique using the primary health care (PHC) House evaluation with definitive medical, surgical and numbering was used to select households from which ancillary treatment of the condition. adult subjects were interviewed. 400 subjects were Key words: Low knowledge, attitude, Nigerians, sampled, 383 consented and completed the survey. This Snoring

Principal component and stepwise discriminant analysis of the morphometric traits of three dual-purpose breeds of chicken

Using the principal component procedure of SAS, 10 variables; body weight (BW), body length (BL), breast girth (BG), shank length (SL), thigh length (TL), comb length (CL), comb height (CH), wing length (WL), wattle length (WAL) and wattle thickness (WT) obtained from three dual-purpose chicken breeds (Shika, Kuroiler, and Sasso), variables were separated. Similarly, stepwise discriminant analsis procedure of the SAS software was employed to evaluate variables that contribute to the overall differences in breeds. Results showed three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) were extracted for all the breeds and pooled data. 45.60% of total variance was accounted for by PC1, 28.17% by PC2 and 16.22% by PC3. The principal components partitioning of total variance were 50.80, 15.10 and 9.70%, 50.82, 19.90 and 14.90%, and 48.63, 14.00 and 12.67% for Shika, Kuroiler, and Sasso breeds respectively, with different factor loadings. Communalities ranged from 0.43-0.97, 0.45-0.83, 0.45-0.88 and 0.45-0.90, indicating that a good amount of variance was accounted for. Stepwise discriminant analysis indicated that seven morphometric traits, TL, SL, WAL, WL, CL, CH and BL, contributed significantly (P<0.001) to the separation of the birds into breeds. TL and SL, however, indicated higher discriminating power compared to others. The principal component analysis allowed for better understanding of the complex correlations among traits and reduced the number of traits along with high communalities, using only PC1, PC2 and PC3the first three PCs, without loss of information. Summary of stepwise discriminant analysis shows that lengthwise measures of long bones of the body of chickens, such as thigh and shank, are viable metrics for phenotypic differentiation of birds in the studied population.Keywords: Principal Component, Stepwise discriminant Analysis, Morphometric traits, chicken

VALUE CHAIN OF Balanites aegyptiaca IN NORTH KORDOFAN STATE IN SUDAN

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) is considered as one of the valuable tree species in Sudan. This study interrogated different actors involved in B. aegyptiaca value chain to estimate the gross margins associated with their segments. The study was conducted during season 2019 in Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State in Sudan, and involved 86 household head (10% of the population). Results indicated that value chain actors of B. aegyptiaca included fruit collectors, village traders, city merchants, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Based on gross margins, the wholesalers were the most benefited (36.4%) in the chain, followed by village traders (33.4%), city merchants (17.6%), collectors (9.65%) and lastly retailers (2.94%). It is clear that B. aegyptiaca value chain is mostly influenced by actors at local level.Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) est consid\ue9r\ue9e comme l\u2019une des esp\ue8ces d\u2019arbres les plus pr\ue9cieuses au Soudan. Cette \ue9tude a interrog\ue9 diff\ue9rents acteurs impliqu\ue9s dans la cha\ueene de valeur de B. aegyptiaca pour estimer les marges brutes associ\ue9es \ue0 leurs segments. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e au cours de la saison 2019 dans la localit\ue9 de Sheikan, dans l\u2019\uc9tat du Kordofan du Nord au Soudan. L\u2019\ue9tude a impliqu\ue9 86 chefs de m\ue9nage (10 % de la population). Les r\ue9sultats ont indiqu\ue9 que les acteurs de la cha\ueene de valeur de B. aegyptiaca comprenaient des collecteurs de fruits, des commer\ue7ants de village, des commer\ue7ants de ville, des grossistes, des d\ue9taillants et des consommateurs. Sur la base des marges brutes, les grossistes ont \ue9t\ue9 les plus avantag\ue9s (36,4 %) de la fili\ue8re, suivis des commer\ue7ants villageois (33,4 %), des commer\ue7ants de la ville (17,6 %), des collecteurs (9,65 %) et enfin des d\ue9taillants (2,94 %). Il est clair que la cha\ueene de valeur de B. aegyptiaca est principalement influenc\ue9e par des acteurs au niveau local

Global fertility in 204 countries and territories, 1950–2021, with forecasts to 2100: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Accurate assessments of current and future fertility—including overall trends and changing population age structures across countries and regions—are essential to help plan for the profound social, economic, environmental, and geopolitical challenges that these changes will bring. Estimates and projections of fertility are necessary to inform policies involving resource and health-care needs, labour supply, education, gender equality, and family planning and support. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 produced up-to-date and comprehensive demographic assessments of key fertility indicators at global, regional, and national levels from 1950 to 2021 and forecast fertility metrics to 2100 based on a reference scenario and key policy-dependent alternative scenarios. Methods: To estimate fertility indicators from 1950 to 2021, mixed-effects regression models and spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression were used to synthesise data from 8709 country-years of vital and sample registrations, 1455 surveys and censuses, and 150 other sources, and to generate age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) for 5-year age groups from age 10 years to 54 years. ASFRs were summed across age groups to produce estimates of total fertility rate (TFR). Livebirths were calculated by multiplying ASFR and age-specific female population, then summing across ages 10–54 years. To forecast future fertility up to 2100, our Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) forecasting model was based on projections of completed cohort fertility at age 50 years (CCF50; the average number of children born over time to females from a specified birth cohort), which yields more stable and accurate measures of fertility than directly modelling TFR. CCF50 was modelled using an ensemble approach in which three sub-models (with two, three, and four covariates variously consisting of female educational attainment, contraceptive met need, population density in habitable areas, and under-5 mortality) were given equal weights, and analyses were conducted utilising the MR-BRT (meta-regression—Bayesian, regularised, trimmed) tool. To capture time-series trends in CCF50 not explained by these covariates, we used a first-order autoregressive model on the residual term. CCF50 as a proportion of each 5-year ASFR was predicted using a linear mixed-effects model with fixed-effects covariates (female educational attainment and contraceptive met need) and random intercepts for geographical regions. Projected TFRs were then computed for each calendar year as the sum of single-year ASFRs across age groups. The reference forecast is our estimate of the most likely fertility future given the model, past fertility, forecasts of covariates, and historical relationships between covariates and fertility. We additionally produced forecasts for multiple alternative scenarios in each location: the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for education is achieved by 2030; the contraceptive met need SDG is achieved by 2030; pro-natal policies are enacted to create supportive environments for those who give birth; and the previous three scenarios combined. Uncertainty from past data inputs and model estimation was propagated throughout analyses by taking 1000 draws for past and present fertility estimates and 500 draws for future forecasts from the estimated distribution for each metric, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) given as the 2·5 and 97·5 percentiles of the draws. To evaluate the forecasting performance of our model and others, we computed skill values—a metric assessing gain in forecasting accuracy—by comparing predicted versus observed ASFRs from the past 15 years (2007–21). A positive skill metric indicates that the model being evaluated performs better than the baseline model (here, a simplified model holding 2007 values constant in the future), and a negative metric indicates that the evaluated model performs worse than baseline. Findings: During the period from 1950 to 2021, global TFR more than halved, from 4·84 (95% UI 4·63–5·06) to 2·23 (2·09–2·38). Global annual livebirths peaked in 2016 at 142 million (95% UI 137–147), declining to 129 million (121–138) in 2021. Fertility rates declined in all countries and territories since 1950, with TFR remaining above 2·1—canonically considered replacement-level fertility—in 94 (46·1%) countries and territories in 2021. This included 44 of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which was the super-region with the largest share of livebirths in 2021 (29·2% [28·7–29·6]). 47 countries and territories in which lowest estimated fertility between 1950 and 2021 was below replacement experienced one or more subsequent years with higher fertility; only three of these locations rebounded above replacement levels. Future fertility rates were projected to continue to decline worldwide, reaching a global TFR of 1·83 (1·59–2·08) in 2050 and 1·59 (1·25–1·96) in 2100 under the reference scenario. The number of countries and territories with fertility rates remaining above replacement was forecast to be 49 (24·0%) in 2050 and only six (2·9%) in 2100, with three of these six countries included in the 2021 World Bank-defined low-income group, all located in the GBD super-region of sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of livebirths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa was forecast to increase to more than half of the world's livebirths in 2100, to 41·3% (39·6–43·1) in 2050 and 54·3% (47·1–59·5) in 2100. The share of livebirths was projected to decline between 2021 and 2100 in most of the six other super-regions—decreasing, for example, in south Asia from 24·8% (23·7–25·8) in 2021 to 16·7% (14·3–19·1) in 2050 and 7·1% (4·4–10·1) in 2100—but was forecast to increase modestly in the north Africa and Middle East and high-income super-regions. Forecast estimates for the alternative combined scenario suggest that meeting SDG targets for education and contraceptive met need, as well as implementing pro-natal policies, would result in global TFRs of 1·65 (1·40–1·92) in 2050 and 1·62 (1·35–1·95) in 2100. The forecasting skill metric values for the IHME model were positive across all age groups, indicating that the model is better than the constant prediction. Interpretation: Fertility is declining globally, with rates in more than half of all countries and territories in 2021 below replacement level. Trends since 2000 show considerable heterogeneity in the steepness of declines, and only a small number of countries experienced even a slight fertility rebound after their lowest observed rate, with none reaching replacement level. Additionally, the distribution of livebirths across the globe is shifting, with a greater proportion occurring in the lowest-income countries. Future fertility rates will continue to decline worldwide and will remain low even under successful implementation of pro-natal policies. These changes will have far-reaching economic and societal consequences due to ageing populations and declining workforces in higher-income countries, combined with an increasing share of livebirths among the already poorest regions of the world. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Analysis of land use/land cover of Girei, Yola North and South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria using satellite imagery

This research demonstrated the use of satellite imagery in detecting changes in land use/ land cover on the fringes of urban areas. Satellite data of the same geographical area, recorded over a decade, were used to identify changes in the pattern of land use/land cover. The study used multi date satellite imageries namely, Landsat MSS 1978 and SPOT5 2007. The images were separately classified and then compared using ILWIS 3.3 and Erdas Imagine 9.3 Versions. The land use/land cover statistics results obtained from the two classifications process showed that built-up areas, sand, water bodies, and open/barren land were found to have been increasing at alarming rate while agricultural land and scrubs were encroached upon by other land use/land cover types. The study showed that land use/land cover change was better captured and monitored through the use of satellite imagery that served as a means of efficiently updating digital databases as shown in the research.Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS, Urban-rural interaction, Planning, Land use, Satellite imagery, Change detectio

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and in vitro antibacterial activity studies of Cu(II) complexes derived from 6- hydroxyflavone Schiff bases

This study reported the synthesis of the ligands (E) – 4 – ((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino -2-phenyl-4H- chromen-6-o1 (L1) and (E) – 2 – ((6-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-ylidene)amino)benzaldehyde (L2). These two Schiff base ligands were synthesized by refluxing equimolar amount of 6- hydroxyflavone with 2-aminophenol and 2-aminobenzoic acid as ligands L1 and L2 respectively. The synthesized Schiff bases were subsequently reacted with Cu(II) acetate to form the corresponding metal complexes C1 and C2. The compounds were characterized using FT-IR, molar conductance, melting point and decomposition temperature studies, solubility test, magnetic susceptibility studies and gravimetric analysis. The purity of the compounds were analysed using TLC. The spectroscopic data indicated that the Schiff base ligands acted as tridentate and coordinated to the metal via imine nitrogen and deprotonated phenolic oxygen atoms. The Schiff base ligands have melting point between 166 – 185 C, whereas the Cu(II) complexes decomposes in the range 161 – 202 oC. Magnetic susceptibility studies showed that the complexes are paramagnetic in nature with the µeff values are in the range of 1.9 - 2.1 BM. Molar conductance values of the complexes were found to be in the range of 20.4 - 33.5 Ω-1cm2 mol-1 indicating that they are non-electrolytic in nature. The solubility test of the compounds indicated that they are soluble in most organic solvents except water, acetone and tetrachloro methane in which are completely insoluble. The Cu(II) acetate, synthesized ligands and their metal complexes were studied for their in vitro antibacterial activity against two gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi) using agar well diffusion method and the results indicated that the complexes were more active than the ligands and the Cu(II) acetate but less active compared to standard drug (ciprofloxacin).Keywords: 6-hydroxyflavone, 2-aminophenol, 2-aminobenzoic acid, Schiff bases and antibacterial activit