Assessment of the Qualitative Adequacy of Newly Constructed Public Housing in Ogun State, Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to present research assessing the level of qualitative adequacy of newly constructed public housing in urban centres in Ogun State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/ approach – The study followed a quantitative research strategy. A survey of 517 housing units constructed through four different strategies and selected based on quota of their existence in nine public housing estates was conducted with a questionnaire as the key data collection instrument. A five-point Likert scale was used in measuring the level of qualitative adequacy of four key housing sub-components. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings – Residents found the overall housing to be inadequate; they indicated that housing unit attributes were the most adequate and thus contributed most, while neighbourhood facilities were the least inadequate and contributed the least to qualitative housing adequacy. Research limitations/implications – The sample population comprised mainly house heads in public housing constructed between 2003 and 2009 therefore, the findings may not be considered to be applicable to all the public housing in the study area. However, the findings can form the basis for judging the performance of public housing in the current democratic dispensation in the study area. Practical implications – The findings imply that giving adequate attention to the provision of infrastructural facilities and maintenance of existing ones can enhance the qualitative adequacy of public housing. Originality/value – This paper is a pioneering effort at evaluating the qualitative adequacy of most recently constructed public housing in the study area

Degradation Study of Aluminum Alloy in 2 M Hydrochloric Acid in the Presence of Chromolaena odorata

The deterioration behaviour of alwninwn alloy in 2 M hydrochloric acid solution in the presence of Chromolaena odorata extract was investigated using gasometric technique. Alwninwn alloy coupons of dimension 4 by 1 em were immersed in test solutions of rminhibited acid and also those containing extract concentrations o£0.065, 0.098, 0.13 and 0.16 Mat ambient temperature for 30 min. The volllllles of hydrogen gas evolved as a result of the rate of reaction were docwnented and analyzed. The outcome revealed that maximwn inhibitor efficiency which corresponds to the lowest corrosion rate was obtained at optimwn inhibitor concentration of 0.16 M with reduction in the corrosion rate observed to follow in order of increasing extract concentration. The adsorption study fwi:her revealed that Frenndlich isotherm best described the metal surface interaction with the extract phyto-chemicals with 20 min becoming the best exposure time for the phyto-chemicals to adsorb to the metal surface at all concentrations. Statistically modeling the corrosion rate yielded an important relationship suitable for estimating corrosion rate values, once concentration of the extract is known. Fwi:hermore, the microstructural studies revealed that crack growth rate slowed do\Vll considerably at 0.16 M extract concentration and irregular intermetallic phases were more mriform as extract concentration increased

Failure Evaluation of Aluminum Alloy in 2 M Hydrochloric Acid in the Presence of Cola acuminata

Hydrochloric acid induced damage of alwninwn alloy in the presence of Cola acuminata extract was investigated using gasometric technique. Alwninwn alloy coupons of dimension 4 em by 1 em were immersed in test solutions of free acid and also those containing extract concentrations of 2-5 cm3 at ambient temperature for 30 min. The volwnes of hydrogen gas evolved as a result of the reaction rate were recorded and analyzed. The outcome revealed that maximwn inhibitor efficiency which corresponds to the lowest corrosion rate was obtained at optimwn inhibitor concentration with reduction in the corrosion rate observed to follow in order of increasing extract concentration. The mechanism of interaction between the phytochemicals in the plant extract and ahnninlllll alloy swface was best described by the Fnnnkin isotherm with 6 and 14 min becoming the best exposure time for the phytochemicals in extract concentrations of 3-5 cm3 to suitably adsorb to metal alloy surface. Statistically modeling the corrosion rate yielded a significant relationship suitable for estimating corrosion rate values once concentration of the extract is known. In addition, the superficial analysis revealed that crack growth rate slowed do\Vll and irregular intermetallic phases were more mriform as extract concentration increased

Chemical examination of essential oil from stem, roots and fruit peels of Nigerian Citrus jambhiri

The chemical profiles of the stem, root and fruit peel essential oils of Citrus jambhiri were investigated. Pulverized plant samples (500 g) each was hydrodistilled using all-glass Clevenger-type apparatus to obtain the essential oils. Two-dimensional GC-TOFMS was used for compositional profiling of the extracted oils. Chemical profiling of the stem oil of C. jambhiri revealed the presence of 64 components (83.11 %), the root oil of C. jambhiri showed 55 components (74.21 %) and the fruit peel oil of C. jambhiri revealed 25 components (83.56 %). The major components of the stem oil of C. jambhiri is 3,4-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene(13.43 %); geijerene (14.38 %) and γ-terpinene (8.07 %) were observed as main constituents in C. jambhiri root oil whereas cis-linalool oxide (19.85 %), trans-linalool oxide (furanoid) (14.86 %), terpinen-4-ol (7.37 %) and limonene (4.64 %) were the major components of C. jambhiri fruit peel oil. Even though the samples were obtained from the same plant, the compositional profile of the essential oils from various plant parts differs.TET FUNDhttps://www.tandfonline.com/loi/teop202021-01-27hj2020Chemistr

Chemical constituents and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf essential oil of Nigerian grown Chenopodium album L.

Hydrodistilled leaves of Chenopodium album yielded 0.64 % v/w of essential oil. GC and GC/MS analyses of the oil revealed that the bulk of the oil was constituted by aromatic compounds (60.1 %). The abundant constituents of the oil were: p- cymene (40.9 %), ascaridole (15.5 %), pinane-2-ol (9.9 %), α-pinene (7.0 %), β-pinene (6.2 %) and α-terpineol (6.2 %). The oil displayed strong anti-inflammatory activity against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) – induced ear edema in mice

Declining HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of empiric data

Introduction: UNAIDS models suggest HIV incidence is declining in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess whether modelled trends are supported by empirical evidence. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of adult HIV incidence data from sub-Saharan Africa by searching Embase, Scopus, PubMed and OVID databases and technical reports published between 1 January 2010 and 23 July 2019. We included prospective and cross-sectional studies that directly measured incidence from blood samples. Incidence data were abstracted according to population risk group, geographic location, sex, intervention arm and calendar period. Weighted regression models were used to assess incidence trends across general population studies by sex. We also identified studies reporting greater than or equal to three incidence measurements since 2010 and assessed trends within them. Results: Total 291 studies, including 22 sub-Saharan African countries, met inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in South Africa (n = 102), Uganda (n = 46) and Kenya (n = 41); there were 26 countries with no published incidence data, most in western and central Africa. Data were most commonly derived from prospective observational studies (n = 163; 56%) and from geographically defined populations with limited demographic or risk-based enrolment criteria other than age (i.e., general population studies; n = 151; 52%). Across general population studies, average annual incidence declines since 2010 were 0.12/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.06–0.18; p = 0.001) among men and 0.10/100 person-years (95% CI: −0.02–0.22; p = 0.093) among women in eastern Africa, and 0.25/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.17–034; p < 0.0001) among men and 0.42/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.23–0.62; p = 0.0002) among women in southern Africa. In nine of 10 studies with multiple measurements, incidence declined over time, including in two studies of key populations. Across all population risk groups, the highest HIV incidence estimates were observed among men who have sex with men, with rates ranging from 1.0 to 15.4/100 person-years. Within general population studies, incidence was typically higher in women than men with a median female-to-male incidence rate ratio of 1.47 (IQR: 1.11 to 1.83) with evidence of a growing sex disparity over time. Conclusions: Empirical incidence data show the rate of new HIV infections is declining in eastern and southern Africa. However, recent incidence data are non-existent or very limited for many countries and key populations

Individual and partnership characteristics associated with consistent condom use in a cohort of cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women in Nigeria

This study reports on the individual and partnership characteristics that influence consistent condom use in cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) attending trusted community centers that provide HIV prevention and treatment services in Nigeria. Adults assigned male at birth who reported anal sex with male partners who enrolled between March 2013–2019 and had information about at least one male sexual partner were included in these analyses. At enrollment and follow-up visits every 3 months for up to 18 months, participants were administered detailed questionnaires that collected information about demographics, sexual practices, HIV risk behaviors, and characteristics and behaviors of their partners in the previous year (at enrollment) or the preceding 3 to 6-months (at follow-up visits). Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to assess the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of individual, partner, and partnership characteristics associated with consistent condom use (CCU). A participant was defined as consistently using condom if they reported always using condoms all the time they had insertive, receptive or both types of anal sex with a male partner. At the individual level, CCU was positively associated with higher education, disclosure of key population status to a healthcare worker and negatively associated with poor access to condoms. At the partner and partnership level, CCU was associated with partners with higher education (aOR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.07–1.72), casual relationships (aOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11–1.34) and relationships in which partners encouraged the participant to use condoms with other partners (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.28). Relationships in which the partner was married to a woman and/or the partner’s HIV status positive or unknown were negatively associated with CCU. These findings suggest that individuals in relationships where partners were more open and encouraged safer sex were more likely to consistently use condoms. HIV prevention programs should consider leveraging communication to sexual partners to encourage condom use as this may support condom use with other sexual partners. Given sustained and growing HIV and STI epidemics among MSM and TGW, even with pre-exposure prophylaxis scale-up, it is crucial to continue to study optimal implementation strategies to increase condom use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11275-

n-Alkane Profile of Underground Water near a Dump-site at Balogun-biiro in Okebaale, Oshogbo Osun State

Well-water samples were collected from the vicinity of Balogun–biiro dump-site located in Okebaale Oshogbo, Osun state, Nigeria. The aim of this research work is to provide background information on the concentration of n-alkanes in the well-water in order to assess its pollution status and probable sources. The n-alkane was determined qualitatively and quantitatively using GC-FID. The concentration of n-alkanes in the water samples was, 8.07, 9.64, 9.75, 8.43, 10.4, and 10.1 mg/L in S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 respectively. The highest concentration of n-alkanes was recorded in the water samples collected from a well located in a residential building very close to the dumpsite as well as the mechanic workshop (i.e. S5) while the lowest concentration was recorded in S1 (well-water relatively far from the dump-site). Various n-alkanes diagnostic ratios obtained indicated anthropogenic sources (i.e. both petrogenic and pyrogenic) and showed moderate level of pollution in the area under study. Keywords: GC-FID; aliphatic hydrocarbon; pollution; anthropogenic; mechanic worksho