Inclusive education and sustainable development goals: A study of the physically challenged in Nigeria

The objective of this paper centres on quality, equitable and inclusive education for all, which underscores SDG 4. This is because the importance and linkage of education to the development of any society cannot be over-emphasised. It argues that for a society to develop, education must be inclusive (including the physically challenged). It examines the prospect of inclusive education within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with particular reference to goal number four. It contextualizes this within the challenges facing education system in Nigeria. The paper adopts quantitative method of enquiry. A total of 200 copies of questionnaire were distributed and 188 were retrieved and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0) software. Preliminary findings suggest that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs 4) in Nigeria’s education system towards the physically challenged is in serious jeopardy and requires immediate policy revalidation. The study concludes that for a meaningful development to be achieved by Nigeria, every citizen (physically challenged inclusive), must have access to knowledge, skills and information

Investigating profitability performance of construction projects using big data: A project analytics approach

© 2019 The Authors The construction industry generates different types of data from the project inception stage to project delivery. This data comes in various forms and formats which surpass the data management, integration and analysis capabilities of existing project intelligence tools used within the industry. Several tasks in the project lifecycle bear implications for the efficient planning and delivery of construction projects. Setting up right profit margins and its continuous tracking as projects progress are vital management tasks that require data-driven decision support. Existing profit estimation measures use a company or industry wide benchmarks to guide these decisions. These benchmarks are oftentimes unreliable as they do not factor in project-specific variations. As a result, projects are wrongly estimated using uniform rates that eventually end up with entirely unusual margins either due to underspends or overruns. This study proposed a project analytics approach where Big Data is harnessed to understand the profitability distribution of different types of construction projects. To this end, Big Data architecture is recommended, and a prototype implementation is shown to store and analyse large amounts of projects data. Our data analysis revealed that profit margins evolve, and the profitability performance varies across several project attributes. These insights shall be incorporated as knowledge to machine learning algorithms to predict project margins accurately. The proposed approach enabled the fast exploration of data to understand the underlying pattern in the profitability performance for different types of construction projects

Geographical distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and genetic diversity of invading population of Ae. albopictus in the Republic of the Congo [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background: The arbovirus vector, Aedes albopictus, originating from Asia, has recently invaded African countries, including the Republic of the Congo, where it was associated with a chikungunya outbreak. Up until now, little was known about its distribution in relation to the native Aedes aegypti and how the invasion will modify the epidemiology of arboviral diseases. Here, we assessed the current distribution of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in the Republic of the Congo and explored the genetic diversity of the invading species, Ae. albopictus. Methods: Immature stages of Aedes were collected in nine locations in the Republic of the Congo in 2017 following a north-south transect and reared to adult stage. Adults were morphologically identified, counted and grouped according to species and location. Genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus was assessed by analyzing the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Results: Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were found together across the country in all the locations investigated. The invasive species is predominant over the native species in all locations except Brazzaville, suggesting that Ae. albopictus is displacing Ae. aegypti across Congo. When comparing the species distributions across the two largest cities, Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Ae. albopictus was more prevalent than Ae. aegypti in the suburbs whereas the opposite situation was reported in the city centre. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed very low genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus with only three haplotypes recorded across the country supporting the recent introduction of this species in the Republic of the Congo. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Ae. albopictus from Congo originated from other tropical Asian countries such as China, likely as a result of increasing trade links. Conclusion: These findings are important for the implementation of vector control strategies and can serve as a foundation for further research on these vectors in the country

Pyrethroid resistance in the New World malaria vector Anopheles albimanus is mediated by cytochrome P450 CYP6P5

Pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus presents an obstacle to malaria elimination in the Americas. Here, An. albimanus CYP6P5 (the most overexpressed P450 in a Peruvian population) was functionally characterized. Recombinant CYP6P5 metabolized the type II pyrethroids, deltamethrin and α cypermethrin with comparable affinities (KM of 3.3 μM ± 0.4 and 3.6 μM ± 0.5, respectively), but exhibited a 2.7-fold higher catalytic rate for α-cypermethrin (kcat of 6.02 min− 1 ± 0.2) versus deltamethrin (2.68 min− 1 ± 0.09). Timecourse assays revealed progressive depletion of the above pyrethroids with production of four HPLCdetectable metabolites. Low depletion was obtained with type I pyrethroid, permethrin. Transgenic expression in Drosophila melanogaster demonstrated that overexpression of CYP6P5 alone conferred type II pyrethroid resistance, with only 16% and 55.3% mortalities in flies exposed to 0.25% α-cypermethrin and 0.15% deltamethrin, respectively. Synergist bioassays using P450 inhibitor piperonylbutoxide significantly recovered susceptibility (mortality = 73.6%, p < 0.001) in synergized flies exposed to 4% piperonylbutoxide, plus 0.25% α-cypermethrin, compared to non-synergized flies (mortality = 4.9%). Moderate resistance was also observed towards 4% DDT. These findings established the preeminent role of CYP6P5 in metabolic resistance in An. albimanus, highlighting challenges associated with deployment of insecticide-based control tools in the Americas

Molecular detection and maternal transmission of a bacterial symbiont Asaia species in field-caught Anopheles mosquitoes from Cameroon

Background Malaria control relies mainlyon insecticide-based tools. However, the effectiveness of these tools is threatened by widespread insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, highlighting the need for alternative control approaches. The endosymbiont Asaia has emerged as a promising candidate for paratransgenic control of malaria, but its biology and genetics still need to be further analyzed across Africa. Here, we investigated the prevalence of Asaia and its maternal transmission in the natural population of Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon. Methods Indoor-resting adult mosquitoes belonging to four species (An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. funestus and An. gambiae) were collected from eight localities across Cameroon from July 2016 to February 2020. PCR was performed on the Asaia-specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene, and samples positive by PCR for Asaia were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The vertical transmission of Asaia was investigated by screening F1 mosquitoes belonging to F0 Asaia-positive females. Results A total of 895 mosquitoes were screened. We found 43% (384) Asaia infection prevalence in four mosquito species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Asaia from Cameroon clustered together with the strains of Asaia isolated from other parts of the world. In addition, seven nucleotide sequence variants were found with low genetic diversity (π = 0.00241) and nucleotide sequence variant diversity (Hd = 0.481). Asaia was vertically transmitted with high frequency (range from 42.5 to 100%). Conclusions This study provides field-based evidence of the presence of Asaia in Anopheles mosquitoes in Cameroon for exploitation as a symbiont in the control of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa

Isolation, purification and characterization of Beta galactosidase from seeds of Citrullus vulgaris

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 6 (3) 1996: pp. 189-19

Propiedades halocrómicas y potenciales antimicrobianos de extractos crudos de cinco plantas ornamentales

Introduction: the colours of flowers are a result of secondary metabolites that have long been used in the medical and textile industries, and those that are halochromic are used in colour display because they change color according to pH changes, but many species are yet to be studied in detail. Objective: to explore the halochromic properties and the antimicrobial potentials of the crude extracts of several ornamental plants. Methods: we used aqueous and organic solvents to extract pigments from petals of five fascinating flowers planted around International Institute of Tropical Agriculture station, Cotonou, Benin: Allamanda blanchetii, Cascabela thevetia, Eichhornia crassipes, Ixora casei and Thunbergia erecta, followed by an investigation into their halochromic properties. Antibacterial potentials of the extracts were tested on important rice pathogens: Xanthomonas oryzae&nbsp;pv.&nbsp;oryzae, and Pantoea agglomerans, which are gram-negative bacteria; and on Bacillus subtilis, a gram-positive bacterium. Results: The crude extracts of T. erecta and A. blanchetii have good halochromic properties within pH 2 – 12, exhibiting distinct colours. The chromophores of the C. thevetia, E. crassipes, and I. casei are not halochromic as the colours of the crude extracts remain the same at the pH range except pH 12 which is similar for the five extracts. Crude extracts of T. erecta inhibited growth of P. agglomerans without development of resistance, whereas the bacteria developed resistance against Penicillin after 18 hrs of incubation. T. erecta and A. blanchetii were able to inhibit growth of X.&nbsp;oryzae and both inhibited B. subtilis. Conclusion: Pigments from both T. erecta and A. blanchetii are good pH indicators; however, T. erecta is a better antibacterial agent than A. blanchetii because it has broad-spectrum activities against bacteria.Introducción: los colores de las flores son el resultado de metabolitos secundarios, que se han utilizado durante mucho tiempo en las industrias médica y textil, y los que son halocrómicos se usan en la visualización a color porque cambian de color según los cambios de pH, pero muchas especies aún no se han estudiado en detalle. Objetivo: explorar las propiedades halocrómicas y los potenciales antimicrobianos de los extractos crudos de plantas ornamentales. Métodos: utilizamos disolventes acuosos y orgánicos para extraer pigmentos de pétalos de cinco flores fascinantes plantadas alrededor de la Estación Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Cotonou, Benin: Allamanda blanchetii, Cascabela thevetia, Eichhornia crassipes, Ixora casei y Thunbergia erecta, seguidas de una investigación de sus propiedades halocromáticas. Los potenciales antibacterianos de los extractos se probaron en importantes patógenos del arroz: Xanthomonas oryzae&nbsp;pv.&nbsp;oryzae, Pantoea agglomeran que son bacterias gram-negativas y en Bacillus subtilis una bacteria gram-positiva. Resultados: Los extractos crudos de T. erecta y A. blanchetii tienen buenas propiedades halocrómicas dentro del pH 2 - 12, mostrando colores distintos. Los cromóforos de C. thevetia, E. crassipes y I. casei no son halocrómicos ya que los colores de los extractos crudos permanecen iguales en el rango de pH, excepto el pH 12, que es similar para los cinco extractos. Los extractos crudos de T. erecta inhibieron el crecimiento de P. agglomerans sin desarrollo de resistencia, mientras que las bacterias desarrollaron resistencia contra la penicilina después de 18 horas de incubación. T. erecta y A. blanchetii pudieron inhibir el crecimiento de X. oryzae y ambos inhibieron B. subtilis. Conclusión: los pigmentos de T. erecta y A. blanchetii son buenos como indicadores de pH. Sin embargo, T. erecta es un mejor agente antibacteriano que A. blanchetii ya que tiene actividades de amplio espectro contra las bacterias

Geographical distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and genetic diversity of invading population of Ae. albopictus in the Republic of the Congo

Background: The arbovirus vector, Aedes albopictus, originating from Asia, has recently invaded African countries, including the Republic of the Congo, where it was associated with a chikungunya outbreak. Up until now, little was known about its distribution in relation to the native Aedes aegypti and how the invasion will modify the epidemiology of arboviral diseases. Here, we assessed the current distribution of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in the Republic of the Congo and explored the genetic diversity of the invading species, Ae. albopictus. Methods: Immature stages of Aedes were collected in nine locations in the Republic of the Congo in 2017 following a north-south transect and reared to adult stage. Adults were morphologically identified, counted and grouped according to species and location. Genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus was assessed by analyzing the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Results: Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were found together across the country in all the locations investigated. The invasive species is predominant over the native species in all locations except Brazzaville, suggesting that Ae. albopictus is displacing Ae. aegypti across Congo. When comparing the species distributions across the two largest cities, Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Ae. albopictus was more prevalent than Ae. aegypti in the suburbs whereas the opposite situation was reported in the city centre. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed very low genetic diversity of Ae. albopictus with only three haplotypes recorded across the country supporting the recent introduction of this species in the Republic of the Congo. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Ae. albopictus from Congo originated from other tropical Asian countries such as China, likely as a result of increasing trade links. Conclusion: These findings are important for the implementation of vector control strategies and can serve as a foundation for further research on these vectors in the country

Perceptions of community members on tuberculosis and its effect on health-seeking behavior in Nigeria☆

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health challenge in the sub-Saharan African countries; Nigeria being one of the most affected countries. A number of interventions have been employed to reduce the scourge of the disease; however, the burden of the disease remains of public health dimensions. This study seeks to provide insight into the factors that may be affecting access to TB services by exploring the perception of the TB disease among the general population and how this affects health-seeking behavior. The specific perceptions addressed in this study are the causes of TB and whether there is a cure for TB. Methods: Qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were employed. This was done as part of a knowledge, attitude and practice survey. The survey was conducted in six States, namely: Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe, Katsina, Benue and Ondo States. Results: Community key informants and FGD participants identified financial capability, knowledge about orthodox medicine, fear of stigmatization and the influence of religious leaders as factors that determine the choice of treatment. Across the six States, the general thought is that people first consult the chemist, then traditional healers/faith-based healers before visiting the hospital because it is cheaper. It was found that persons who believe that the disease is caused by germs usually seek health care in the formal health settings, while those who believe that TB is caused by supernatural forces, such as ancestral curses and witchcraft, usually seek help at the herbalists/traditional/unorthodox health settings. Also, people who believe that TB can be cured are more likely to seek medical care. Conclusion: Specific information on TB, such as the fact that TB is curable and caused by a germ, if well disseminated at the population level to the point where the information is understood and accepted to be true, is able to change the health-seeking behavior of the population such that the population seek care for TB at the formal health clinics

Seasonality in TB notification in Nigera: Reality or myth?

Background: Seasonal fluctuations in tuberculosis (TB) notifications have been identified and reported in a number of countries. Nigeria remains one of the 22TB high-burden countries (HBCs) in the world, and the notification of TB cases in the country over the years has shown a definite pattern that suggests seasonal variation. Previous studies conducted in India, Japan, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States have evaluated the seasonality of TB notification. However, in Nigeria, there has been no systematic study to establish that this pattern is not just a myth. This study seeks to establish the seasonal variations suggested by the trend pattern of TB case notification (all forms of TB) in Nigeria over the past ten years. Method: The yearly TB notification data in Nigeria from 2004 to 2013 was examined for seasonal fluctuations by plotting the quarterly notification figures for the years under review. A rapid trend analysis was done based on the amplitude of the fluctuating curves. Standardization was done by zones. Results: The trend analysis showed a spike in the first quarter of the year for the ten-year period studied (with the exception of 2005 and 2011). This quarter is generally characterized by the dusty, dry harmattan wind in most parts of the country, particularly the northern region. The curves generally plummeted in the third quarter and remained in that neighborhood for the rest of the year. The differences in case notification between the first and last quarter for the ten-year period ranged from 347 to 4230 cases notified. The result of this trend analysis when standardized by zones for the six zones of the country was similar to the overall result for the country. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there is evidence to suggest that there are seasonal variations in notification of TB cases across the four quarters of the year. This has significant implications for TB control strategies. Further investigation of the reasons for seasonal variations may help to identify risk factors. Also, planning and forecast of TB commodities to order cannot be based on experience from the preceding quarters, but must rather be based on reports from the same quarter in the previous year. Allocation of resources may also have to be intensified during the peak periods in order to adequately control the disease at these periods. Footnotes: Further investigation is required to unmask the reasons for the seasonal variations in TB notification in Nigeria