Knowledge, attitude, and utilization of HIV counseling and testing by female sex workers in Lagos State, Nigeria

Objectives: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic continues to expand among female sex workers (FSWs) who have limited access to and utilization of HIV counseling and testing services (HCT). HCT plays a pivotal role in increasing knowledge and awareness to prevent, treat, and control HIV/AIDS. The study objective was to determine the knowledge, attitude, utilization of HCT among brothel-based FSWs (BBFSWs). Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 300 BBFSWs in Lagos State. The respondents were recruited by snowballing after a multistage sampling method was used in the selection of the brothels. The data was collected using an adapted interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Majority (63.0%) of the respondents were between the ages of 21-30 years and 67.4% had good knowledge of HIV and HCT. About 75.0% had a positive attitude towards HCT and 55.6% of FSWs in this study had utilized an HCT center in the past. The main reason for not taking HIV test was the fear of a positive result (90.6%) while the main reasons given for not visiting any HCT center were lack of confidentiality (13.3%), stigmatization (14.8%), and distance to the HCT center (67.2%). Conclusion: There was a good knowledge of HCT and a positive attitude towards HCT services by the respondents. The main reasons for not taking the HIV test as indicated by respondents were fear of a positive result. HIV-stigma related issues should be adequately addressed

Adaptive Cooperative Learning Methodology for Oil Spillage Pattern Clustering and Prediction

The serious environmental, economic and social consequences of oil spillages could devastate any nation of the world. Notable aftermath of this effect include loss of (or serious threat to) lives, huge financial losses, and colossal damage to the ecosystem. Hence, understanding the pattern and  making precise predictions in real time is required (as opposed to existing rough and discrete prediction) to give decision makers a more realistic picture of environment. This paper seeks to address this problem by exploiting oil spillage features with sets of collected data of oil spillage scenarios. The proposed system integrates three state-of-the-art tools: self organizing maps, (SOM), ensembles of deep neural network (k-DNN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). It begins with unsupervised learning using SOM, where four natural clusters were discovered and used in making the data suitable for classification and prediction (supervised learning) by ensembles of k-DNN and ANFIS. Results obtained showed the significant classification and prediction improvements, which is largely attributed to the hybrid learning approach, ensemble learning and cognitive reasoning capabilities. However, optimization of k-DNN structure and weights would be needed for speed enhancement. The system would provide a means of understanding the nature, type and severity of oil spillages thereby facilitating a rapid response to impending oils spillages. Keywords: SOM, ANFIS, Fuzzy Logic, Neural Network, Oil Spillage, Ensemble Learnin

The Antimicrobial Potential and Phytochemical Composition of Aristolochia Ringens VAHL

Aristolochia ringens, a plant called Ako-igun in Yoruba, is widely distributed in southwestern Nigeria. Traditionally, it is used for the treatment of cancerous sore, lung inflammation, dysentery and dermatitis. The antimicrobial activity of A. ringens was tested on six pathogenic bacteria viz., Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhii, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis and five fungi viz., Fusarium sp, Sporotrichum sp, Pichia sp, Penicillium camemberti and Aspergillus niger.Extracts from powdered stem and root barks of A. ringens were prepared using sterile water, ethanol, petroleum ether and acetone. The extracts were tested on each of the pathogens for their antimicrobial properties. The stem and the root barks were also screened for presence of secondary metabolites following standard procedures.The aqueous extracts of the stem and the root barks were not effective against all the bacteria and fungi tested except Shigella sonnei with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 40mg/ml. Petroleum ether extracts of the stem and root barks were equally not active against all the bacteria isolates used but the root bark extracts reacted effectively against the fungal isolates, showing good potency at 40mg/ml. Ethanol extract of the stem bark was very potent against all the bacteria isolates at MIC of 33.3mg/ml except Shigella sonnei while the root bark ethanol extract only showed little effectiveness against the fungi. A similar result was obtained when acetone was used as solvent of extraction. Comparatively, ethanol and acetone stem and root bark extracts were less potent on the fungi isolates than the petroleum ether extract. The plant parts studied showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides.Thus, the root and stem bark extracts from Aristolochia ringens may be broad based in their antimicrobial activities. The extracts, if purified and crystallized, may serve as alternatives to antimicrobial drugs. Keywords: Aristolochia ringens, Microorganisms, Ethnomedicine, Phytochemicals, Plant extract

Maintenance Challenges of Multi-Owner Multi-Storey Residential Buildings in Lagos, Nigeria

It is noted that in Nigeria, buildings begin to demand for maintenance almost immediately after completion and handing over to users. As a single building belongs to several owners, corporate decision is required in maintaining it. The process of arriving at a workable decision remains a problem in the maintenance of such buildings due to protracted consultation and individual differences. This paper analytically investigates the frequency of maintenance of multi storey buildings compared with single owned building within the area Lagos, Nigeria. This paper examines these processes, the challenges and possible resolution for meeting point of ideas in order to sustain the commonwealth without jeopardizing the interest of any through a field survey. Structured questionnaire and non-participant case study were adopted in collecting quantitative and qualitative data. This study adopted quantitative analysis in form of tables to evaluate the attitude of respondents towards the maintenance of external surface of buildings vis-à-vis painting in the area. Three hundred and eighty four structured questionnaires were administered in six randomly selected Local Government Areas within the study area in April-May, 2012. The findings show that buildings that belong to single owners are better maintained than buildings that belong to multi-owners due to sense of ownership and ability to take decision on maintenance issues swiftly. Multi ownership system requires some level of enlightenment and thorough education in the area. The primary culture of the people in the selected area supports the compound system which multi ownership denies

Knowledge and Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Women Attending the Gynaecological Outpatient Clinics of a University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Objectives. This study was aimed at determining the knowledge and acceptability of HPV vaccine among women attending the gynaecology clinics of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 148 consecutively selected women attending the gynaecology clinic of LUTH. Relevant information was obtained from these women using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed and then presented by simple descriptive statistics using tables and charts. Chi-square statistics were used to test the association between the sociodemographical variables and acceptance of HPV vaccination. All significance values were reported at P<0.05. Results. The mean age of the respondents was 35.7±9.7 years. The study showed that 36.5% of the respondents had heard about HPV infection while only 18.9% had knowledge about the existence of HPV vaccines. Overall, 81.8% of the respondents accepted that the vaccines could be administered to their teenage girls with the level of education of the mothers being the major determinant of their acceptability (P=0.013). Conclusions. Awareness of HPV infections and existence of HPV vaccines is low. However, the acceptance of HPV vaccines is generally high. Efforts should be made to increase the awareness about cervical cancer, its aetiologies, and prevention via HPV vaccination

Material Selection for Fuel Fired Crucible Furnace Using GRANTA

The study investigated the material selection for the fuel fired crucible furnace using bubble charts. The results were generated using GRANTA software. Different properties were considered during the selection of the materials for the furnace. The appropriate engineering materials were sought locally for the design and construction of the fuel fired crucible furnace. Among several parameters taken into consideration are strength/weight ratio, formability, cost and ability to fulfill specific service functions. All these were taken into consideration during the material selection process for the fuel-fired crucible furnace. These properties were plotted against each other in bubble chart and the selection of the appropriate candidate material was done on the bubble chart. The software plotted the properties of each unit of the furnace in form of bubbles and the candidate material where selected from the bulk of materials suggested by the software. The functions, objectives and constraints of the parts or the units to be designed were adequately specified and the material properties to be selected were determined based on these fundamental parameters

Modeling heat flow across fuel-fired crucible furnace using ADINA

-The study simulated the heat flow across a fuel-fired crucible furnace using ADINA Software. Appropriate engineering materials were selected for the design and construction of the fuel fired crucible furnace. Among several parameters taken into consideration were strength/weight ratio, formability, cost and ability to fulfill specific service functions. Heat dissipation to the outside was minimal and this was clearly shown in the temperature gradient. Heat dissipation was uniform within the flame gap and inside the crucible pot. The Kaolin refractory material used showed very good insulation capacity significantly reduced heat losses. The modeled temperature distribution profile, heat flux and the temperature gradient were all in agreement with the validated results

Projected Range and Sputter Yield of Ne+ and Ar+ in the Sputtering of Lead and Tin Perovskites

Metal halide perovskites have been the subject of intense theoretical and experimental research in recent years due to their huge potential over their silicon based counterparts for tunable optoelectronic applications in high-tech device innovation. The current best perovskite for solar cell applications, with a power conversion efficiency of 22%, methyl ammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3), is toxic due to the presence of lead and is therefore harmful in solar cell applications despite its low concentration in solar cells. Hence, research exploits are geared towards perovskites without lead. Unfortunately, this has taken back the gains in PCEs by about 15%, and a lot is being done for improvement. In this paper, we performed molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of ion-beam sputtering of lead and tin perovskites to determine differences between the sputtering characteristics of lead perovskite and a lead-substituted perovskite (tin perovskite). Our results show that they both exhibit similar sputtering characteristics of linear projected ion range, and maximum yield around 78° ion incidence

Design and Fabrication of an Automated Low-Cost Non-Contact Temperature Scanner and Sanitizer for Covid-19 Prevention

The rate at which the novel virus Covid-19 spread across the world in an alarming rate with high rate of death of the infected persons is quite disturbing, hence the need to checkmate its spread by quickly identifying persons with the symptoms of this viral infection. This paper discusses the development of an automated low-cost non-contact temperature scanner and sanitizer. The system automatically detects a human being, scans for temperature, and sanitizes the person with no interference required. The circuit for the system comprises an Arduino microcontroller, LCD display, relays, ultrasonic sensors, temperature sensor, 12v DC pump motion sensor and a high pressure 12v DC pump. The temperature sensor (MLX90614) senses the temperature, certifies that the value is within the specified range as controlled by its ultrasonic sensor and displays the temperature on the LCD. Thereafter, an ultrasonic sensor activates the 12V DC pump to dispense the sanitizer. At the disinfectant chamber, the motion sensor will trigger the high-pressured DC pump when it senses movement, it dispenses the body sanitizer through the nozzles. C++ was used to program the Arduino in Arduino user interface. The entire process takes 60seconds and it helps to maintain personal preventive measures as well as detecting a possible symptomatic person as fever with high temperature which is one of the major symptoms of Covid-19. The device has been tested and works effectively, and it will be very useful for any organization with one or more buildings. It can be positioned at the entrance of buildings to sanitize and scan all staff and visitors against Covid-19

An ion-beam surface sputtering approach to the quest for lead-free metal halide perovskite for solar cells

Metal halide perovskites have been the subject of intense theoretical and experimental research in recent years, due to their huge potential over their silicon-based counterparts for tunable optoelectronic applications in hightech device innovation. The current best perovskite for solar cell applications, with a power conversion efficiency of 22%, methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3), is toxic due to the presence of lead and is therefore harmful in solar cell applications despite its low concentration in solar cells. Hence, research exploits are geared towards perovskites without lead. Unfortunately, this has taken back the gains in PCEs by about 70%, and a lot is being done for improvement. In this paper, a new approach to these studies is introduced by performing Monte Carlo simulations of ion-beam sputtering of lead and tin perovskites, as well as other promising candidate materials, in order to throw some light on their potentials for higher efficiencies in photovoltaic applications. The sputtering characteristics of six promising perovskites, including lead perovskite and lead-substituted perovskites, were compared. The results showed a remarkable exhibition of similar sputtering characteristics of linear projected ion range for Pb and Sn, with a maximum sputter yield around 78° ion incidence. The results also indicated a correspondence between the sputtering characteristics and PCE