Integrated geotechnical and geophysical investigation of a proposed construction site at Mowe, Southwestern Nigeria

The subsurface of a proposed site for building development in Mowe, Nigeria, using Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) and Horizontal Electrical Profiling (HEP), was investigated with the aim of evaluating the suitability of the strata for foundation materials. Four SPT and CPT were conducted using 2.5 tonnes hammer. HEP utilizing Wenner array were performed with inter-electrode spacing of 10 – 60 m along four traverses coincident with each of the SPT and CPT. The HEP data were processed using DIPRO software and textural filtering of the resulting resistivity sections was implemented to enable delineation of hidden layers. Sandy lateritic clay, silty lateritic clay, clay, clayey sand and sand horizons were delineated. The SPT “N” value defined very soft to soft sandy lateritic (<4), stiff silty lateritic clay (7 – 12), very stiff silty clay (12 - 15), clayey sand (15- 20) and sand (27 – 37). Sandy lateritic clay (5-40 kg/cm2) and silty lateritic clay (25 - 65 kg/cm2) were defined from the CPT response. Sandy lateritic clay (220-750 Ωm), clay (< 50 Ωm) and sand (415-5359 Ωm) were delineated from the resistivity sections with two thin layers of silty lateritic clay and clayey sand defined in the texturally filtered resistivity sections. Incompetent clayey materials that are unsuitable for the foundation of the proposed structure underlain the study area to a depth of about 18m. Deep foundation involving piling through the incompetent shallow layers to the competent sand at 20 m depth was recommended

Mosquito Control Strategies In Ishiagu Rural Communities: Implications To Public Health

Mosquito control strategies adopted by the residents of two Ishiagu Communities (Okue and Ihie)were investgated. 53 households in Okue and 54 in Ihie were sampled. Simple structured questionnaires were prepared and administered. Percentages and chi square (X2) test of significance was employed in analysing the data. The result revealed that 429 % of the residents of the two communities used insecticides, 25.2% used mosquito coils, 6.5% used smoke of local herbs and 5.6% were insensitive to mosquito nuisance and careless about mosquito control. Choice of control measures by residents of the two communities were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Occupational related preferences revealed that farmers ranked highest in the use of insecticides and coils (21.5%) each. 131% of teachers use insecticides and 37% use nettings. Statistical analysis of the occupational related choice patterns was significant (P < 005). Keywords: Mosquito, Rural Communities, Control, Implications, Public Health.Animal Research International Vol. 3 (1) 2006 pp. 431-43

Facial Electromyography-based Adaptive Virtual Reality Gaming for Cognitive Training

Cognitive training has shown promising results for delivering improvements in human cognition related to attention, problem solving, reading comprehension and information retrieval. However, two frequently cited problems in cognitive training literature are a lack of user engagement with the training programme, and a failure of developed skills to generalise to daily life. This paper introduces a new cognitive training (CT) paradigm designed to address these two limitations by combining the benefits of gamification, virtual reality (VR), and affective adaptation in the development of an engaging, ecologically valid, CT task. Additionally, it incorporates facial electromyography (EMG) as a means of determining user affect while engaged in the CT task. This information is then utilised to dynamically adjust the game's difficulty in real-time as users play, with the aim of leading them into a state of flow. Affect recognition rates of 64.1% and 76.2%, for valence and arousal respectively, were achieved by classifying a DWT-Haar approximation of the input signal using kNN. The affect-aware VR cognitive training intervention was then evaluated with a control group of older adults. The results obtained substantiate the notion that adaptation techniques can lead to greater feelings of competence and a more appropriate challenge of the user's skills

An Analysis of the Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) of Kano Metropolis during the Warm/Wet Season

Urbanization has had a profound impact on our local, regional and even global climate, through the modification of the natural environment by replacing it with artificial surfaces, canyons and materials. This study seeks to assess the nature of Urban Canopy Heat Island (UCHI) intensities in Kano metropolis during the Wet/Warm season. The study involved the measurement of temperature within the period and determination of the UCHI within Kano metropolis. The study measured the temperature data using an automatic temperature data logger and determined the UCHI from the data collected. The different sample stations were determined using the canyon zoning system known as the Urban Climate Zone (UCZ). Temperature and UCHI variation for the study were also determined for two periods that showed its diurnal distribution. The study area was categorized into 13 stations and all the classes of the UCZ fit into the study area. The UCHI Characteristics shows a generally warm profile during the day time and night time periods, suggesting that most of the stations had high temperatures. This can be attributed to the high amount of clouds found in August, which provides a green house effect for the out going long wave radiation, there by conserving the heat within the UCZ

LEHMANN TYPE II GENERALIZED HALF LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION: PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION

In this study, a new four parameter distribution called the Lehmann type II generalized half logistic distribution was derived. The statistical properties of the Lehmann type II generalized half logistic distribution were studied. Estimates of the parameters of the new distribution under complete and censored observations would be obtained using the maximum likelihood estimation method. Simulation studies were carried out to assess the consistency of the maximum likelihood estimates. Application of the new distribution to a data showed that it performed better than the type I generalized half logistic distribution Keywords: distribution, censored, estimates, parameters, function, observation, Lehmann type II

Prescribing practices for pediatric out-patients: A case study of two teaching hospitals in Nigeria

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate drug utilization pattern in the pediatric departments of two tertiary health facilities in Nigeria using WHO core prescribing indicators.Methods: Using a cross-sectional retrospective study approach, prescriptions  randomly selected for a period of 6 months from the pediatric out-patient departments of two tertiary hospitals: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi in South- Eastern Nigeria were assessed. Prescribing indicators as listed by WHO were calculated and analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: A total of 750 prescriptions (450 from NAUTH and 300 from COOUTH) containing 2,739 drugs were assessed. The mean number of drugs prescribed per encounter (mean ± SD) at NAUTH was 3.5 ± 0.9 and 3.8 ± 1.1 in COOUTH. The percentage of antibiotics prescribed per encounter in COOUTH and NAUTH were 72.3 and 77.1 %, respectively, whereas drugs prescribed by generic names were 61.7 and 64.2 %, respectively. Injections prescribed per encounter were above acceptable range, and percentages of drugs prescribed from essential medicine lists in the two hospitals were &gt; 85 %.Conclusion: This study identified irrational use of antibiotics, polypharmacy,  non-adherence to generic prescribing and high use of injections in both hospitals. The need for improvement in prescription patterns is underscored.Keywords: Prescription pattern, Pediatric outpatients, WHO indicators, Irrational use, Antibiotics, Polypharmac

Towards an Effectve Arousal Detecton System for Virtual Reality

Immersive technologies offer the potential to drive engagement and create exciting experiences. A better understanding of the emotional state of the user within immersive experiences can assist in healthcare interventions and the evaluation of entertainment technologies. This work describes a feasibility study to explore the effect of affective video content on heart-rate recordings for Virtual Reality applications. A lowcost reflected-mode photoplethysmographic sensor and an electrocardiographic chest-belt sensor were attached on a novel non-invasive wearable interface specially designed for this study. 11 participants responses were analysed, and heart-rate metrics were used for arousal classification. The reported results demonstrate that the fusion of physiological signals yields to significant performance improvement; and hence the feasibility of our new approach

Smile outcomes when using masseteric nerve-based nerve transfers versus direct muscle neurotization in facial palsy patients

Background: When dealing with a weak smile, nerve transfer is a viable strategy. We evaluated outcomes of masseteric nerve to facial nerve transfers and compared them with direct muscle neurotization (DMN). Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 20 patients (n = 20), we compared nerve transfer versus DMN over a 6-year period (2016–2021). Outcomes were measured using the validated Sunnybrook score, Ackerman Smile Index, and Terzis scores. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Comparing pre- versus postoperative scores after nerve transfers, there was a significant improvement in median overall Sunnybrook score (24 versus 47, P = 0.043), lip elevation (1 versus 2, P = 0.046), open mouth smile (1 versus 3, P = 0.003), and Terzis scores (1 versus 3, P = 0.005), with no difference in resting symmetry (−15 versus −5; P = 0.496). Compared with DMN, there was no difference in median Terzis score improvement from preoperative to postoperative state (2 versus 1, P = 0.838), median smile improvement (2 versus 2, P = 0.838), resting symmetry (10 versus 5, P = 0.144) or overall Sunnybrook score (23 versus 21, P = 1.000). Lip elevation improvement was in favor of nerve transfers (1 versus 0, P = 0.047). Conclusions: This is the first study evaluating nerve transfer neurotization of smile-mimetic muscles and comparing the outcomes with DMN, with masseteric nerve as donor. Nerve transfer leads to improved facial mimetic function, smile excursion and open mouth smiles, as does DMN, with improvement in lip elevation in favor of nerve transfer. Nerve transfer was preferred for more severe smile weakness

ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATION OF BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: PROFESSIONALS` PERSPECTIVES

The study assessed the integration of various Building Automation Systems (BAS) to enhance efficiency and productivity in residential buildings in developing countries: Professionals` perspectives. A survey technique was used for this research. Both Qualitative data and Quantitative data were obtained. 100 structured questionnaires were distributed to the professionals involved in construction of the systems. The data were analyzed and ranked based on Relative Importance Index (RII) calculation. The result showed that high energy management, improved security, improved safety in buildings were the most important benefits while High cost of purchasing devices and high maintenance cost., lack of adequate power supply, lack of technical-know where the challenges encountered in the use of BAS. There is lack of awareness of BAS by professionals. It recommended that there should more enlightenment and training of the construction professionals on the importance of building automation for better efficiency and productivity