Asthma Diagnosis, Phenotypes and Severity, and Indoor Microbial Exposure among Urban and Rural Children in Saskatchewan, Canada

Background: Childhood asthma is less common in rural compared to urban settings. This could be linked to possible asthma under-diagnosis in rural children. Furthermore, asthma presents with multiple phenotypes and degrees of severity; and may have varied associations with indoor microbial exposures. Objectives: i) to investigate if rural children experience more asthma under-diagnosis compared to urban children; ii) to investigate the relationship between endotoxin and beta-(1→3)-D-glucan (BDG) with atopic asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB); and iii) to examine the associations between endotoxin and BDG with asthma severity. Methods: In 2015, following a 2013 cross-sectional study, we approached those who gave consent for further testing and repeated the survey and completed clinical assessments. The 2015 study included 335 schoolchildren (aged 7–17 years) in Saskatchewan, Canada. Play and mattress area settled dust sample collection was also completed. Asthma was identified based on survey responses and then based on a validated asthma algorithm. Children with confirmed asthma using the asthma algorithm (n = 116) formed the study population for the second (asthma phenotypes) and third (asthma severity) objectives. We evaluated asthma phenotypes based on skin prick testing and exercise challenge testing and asthma severity based on standard guidelines. Endotoxin and BDG were measured from dust samples using limulus amoebocyte lysate assay. Results: The study population was comprised of 73.4% (large urban, LU), 13.7% (small urban, SU) and 12.8% (rural, R). The proportions of participants with survey-based vs. algorithm-based asthma classification were: 28.5% vs. 33.3% (LU), 34.8% vs. 41.3% (SU), and 20.9% vs. 34.9% (R). Among the algorithm-based asthma cases, 71.1% were atopic, 22.4% had EIB, 75.9% had mild asthma, and 24.1% had moderate/severe asthma. Play area endotoxin was inversely associated with atopic asthma while mattress endotoxin was positively associated with EIB. Furthermore, mattress endotoxin was positively associated with moderate/severe asthma and decreased lung function while play area BDG was inversely association with moderate/severe asthma. Conclusion: The study revealed evidence of asthma under-diagnosis in rural children. Furthermore, the study provided evidence of varied associations between indoor microbial exposures and asthma phenotypes as well as asthma severity

Revitalizing a Traditional Market Space in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: An Analysis of Environmental Quality Indicators and Policy Implications

Traditional market settings in Nigeria have been observed to be poor in environmental quality and less conducive for human physical and economic wellbeing. The physical conditions of the markets have been used to draw conclusions in livability of the space. Policy options to revitalize the overall environmental quality of market spaces require users’ inputs. The study, therefore, examined the environmental quality of a traditional market space in Nigeria, specifically focusing on Odo-Ogbe in Ile-Ife, and explored the potential for policy interventions to revitalize the market. The study was carried out among everyday users of the market. Information obtained through questionnaire administration was the users’ socio-economic backgrounds and twenty-three variables having social, economic and environmental characteristics. Physical observation was also carried out for an all-inclusive environment assessment of the market. Using systematic random and purposive sampling techniques, 119 market users were selected for the survey. Results showed that, the majority of the users were married (64.7%), females (74.8%), who had one form of educational qualification or the other (89.9%). Using an index tagged “Users’ Environmental Quality Index” (UEQI), sixteen environmental quality indicators were rated to be important. Among these were “availability of electricity (UEQI=4.68)”, “availability of water (UEQI=4.52)”, and “clean and healthy environment (UEQI=4.18)”. The study recommended that the government concerned with city administration should pull financial and human resources together to provide facilities and services related to users’ environmental quality indicator data for effective revitalization of the market space

Prediction of Gaseous Attenuation of Satellite Signal in Nigeria

It would be noticed that the rate at which people are demanding for satellite services has drastically increased due to increment in population. However, one of the apprehensions of satellite telecommunication engineer is the effects imposed on the earth-to space path link by gaseous attenuation. The research conducted in this paper bordered about investigation with comparison of prediction models for gas attenuation in the six locations in Nigeria, with each of the location taken from six geopolitical within the country. The cities considered for the analysis are: Kaduna (), Lagos (), Abuja (), Portharcort (), Enugu () and Bauchi (). Five-year radiosonde data were used in predicting gas attenuation in the cities selected which represent the geographical characteristics of each zone. Monthly variation of tropospheric components for each zone were computed. Influence of gas attenuation at different frequency bands for each zone were analysed. The results indicated that at clear-sky scenario, gas attenuation effects are still seen on satellite communication. Therefore, this research work would provide the needed statistical data of gas attenuation which would be of tremendous advantage for the link designers for their subsequent planning and design of good telecommunication systems in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

Sustainable generation of bioethanol from sugarcane wastes by Streptomyces coelicolor strain COB KF977550 isolated from a tropical estuary

The damaging effect and challenges associated with the use of fossil fuel is enormous and very costly. Biofuels could be obtained from plant biomass wastes which are known to be sources of environmental pollution and breeding grounds for vectors of diseases. Sugarcane bagasse was exploited as a renewable substrate for obtaining bioethanol using Streptomyces strain COB KF977550 as inoculum. Submerged aerobic batch fermentation was performed in flasks containing mineral salts medium supplemented with 5.0 g (w/v) sugarcane bagasse. Incubation was done in a shaker (150 rpm) at 30 oC for 21 days. Microbial growth was assessed by measurement of the optical density (O.D 600nm) at 3-day intervals. Fractional distillation was carried out in batch mode using a simple fractional distillation setup. Metabolic products were determined using GC-FID. Further analyses were performed using FTIR and GC-MS. The optical density of S.coelicolor strain COB KF977550 increased from 0.9 to 1.41. The GC-FID showed that 43.08 g/L ethanol was generated. Interestingly, the results showed the presence of diverse biochemicals released into the medium in addition to the main product ethanol. Ten carboxylic acids including formic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, n-valeric acid, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid were identified as biochemical organic acids by-products

FUZZY LOGIC APPROACH TO ENERGY PLANNING IN NIGERIA

Energy planning is an important tool for power system utility company and consumer’s profitability and satisfaction respectively. This paper is a study of energy planning (forecasting) in Ogun state of Nigeria using Fuzzy Logic model. Population and gross domestic product (GDP) are used as the independent variables to forecast load demand based on the previous load demand. After arranging the variables into 5 membership functions and the 19 rules were created, the fuzzy logic model forecast the annual load demand for the next 10 years with a percentage error margin 0.95 % to 21.79 % which results to a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.34 %. The result of the forecast shows that within the next 10 years, 2019 to 2028, an average power load of 1985.66 MWH will be required

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ARDUINO-BASED OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR AN UNMANNED VEHICLE

The use of autonomous systems in the world to perform relevant and delicate task is fast growing. However, its application in various fields cannot be over emphasized. This paper presents an obstacle detection and avoidance system for an unmanned Lawnmower. The system consists of two (Infrared and Ultrasonic) sensors, an Arduino microcontroller and a gear DC motor. The ultrasonic and infrared sensors are implemented to detect obstacles on the robot’s path by sending signals to an interfaced microcontroller. The micro-controller redirects the robot to move in an alternate direction by actuating the motorsin order to avoid the detected obstacle. The performance evaluation of the system indicates an accuracy of 85% and 0.15 probability of failure respectively. In conclusion, an obstacle detection circuit was successfully implemented using infrared and ultrasonic sensors modules which were placed at the front of the robot to throw both light and sound waves at any obstacle and when a reflection is received, a low output is sent to the Arduino microcontroller which interprets the output and makes the robot to stop

FUZZY LOGIC APPROACH TO ENERGY PLANNING IN NIGERIA

Energy planning is an important tool for power system utility company and consumer’s profitability and satisfaction respectively. This paper is a study of energy planning (forecasting) in Ogun state of Nigeria using Fuzzy Logic model. Population and gross domestic product (GDP) are used as the independent variables to forecast load demand based on the previous load demand. After arranging the variables into 5 membership functions and the 19 rules were created, the fuzzy logic model forecast the annual load demand for the next 10 years with a percentage error margin 0.95 % to 21.79 % which results to a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.34 %. The result of the forecast shows that within the next 10 years, 2019 to 2028, an average power load of 1985.66 MWH will be required

Comprehensive assessment on the applications of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy

The worldwide burden of cancers is increasing at a very high rate, including the aggressive and resistant forms of cancers. Certain levels of breakthrough have been achieved with the conventional treatment methods being used to treat different forms of cancers, but with some limitations. These limitations include hazardous side effects, destruction of non-tumor healthy cells that are rapidly dividing and developing, tumor resistance to anti-cancer drugs, damage to tissues and organs, and so on. However, oncolytic viruses have emerged as a worthwhile immunotherapeutic option for the treatment of different types of cancers. In this treatment approach, oncolytic viruses are being modeled to target cancer cells with optimum cytotoxicity and spare normal cells with optimal safety, without the oncolytic viruses themselves being killed by the host immune defense system. Oncolytic viral infection of the cancer cells are also being genetically manipulated (either by removal or addition of certain genes into the oncolytic virus genome) to make the tumor more visible and available for attack by the host immune cells. Hence, different variants of these viruses are being developed to optimize their antitumor effects. In this review, we examined how grave the burden of cancer is on a global level, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, major conventional therapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer and their individual drawbacks. We discussed the mechanisms of action employed by these oncolytic viruses and different viruses that have found their relevance in the fight against various forms of cancers. Some pre-clinical and clinical trials that involve oncolytic viruses in cancer management were reported. This review also examined the toxicity and safety concerns surrounding the adoption of oncolytic viro-immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers and the likely future directions for researchers and general audience who wants updated information

The analyses of human MCPH1 DNA repair machinery and genetic variations

Causal mutations in the MCPH1 gene have been associated with disorders like microcephaly, and recently congenital hearing impairment. This study examined the MCPH1 DNA repair machinery and identified genetic variations of interest in gnomAD database to discuss the biological roles and effects of rare variants in MCPH1-related diseases. Notably, MCPH1 coordinates two of the seven known mechanisms of DNA repair which confirmed its roles in neurogenesis and chromatin condensation. A pathogenic missense variant in MCPH1 p.Gly753Arg, and two pathogenic frameshifts MCPH1 p.Asn189LysfsTer15 and p.Cys624Ter identified in this study, already had entries in ClinVar and were associated with microcephaly. A pathogenic frameshift in MCPH1 p.Val10SerfsTer5 with a loss-of-function flag and a pathogenic stop gained p.Ser571Ter variants with ultra-rare allele frequency (MAF ≤ 0.001) were identified but have not been linked to any phenotype. The predicted pathogenic ultra-rare variants identified in this study, warranty phenotypic discovery, and also positioned these variants or nearby deleterious variants candidate for screening in MCPH1-associated rare diseases