Sustainability on the Horizon? An investigation into Sustainable Banking Practices in an Emerging Economy

Purpose: This study investigates sustainability practices in the banking industry, focusing on a developing economy. It employs the triple-bottom-line framework to answer the following research question: How do banks in Nigeria conceptualise sustainability, and what role does it play in their banking practices? Design/approach/methodology: This study adopts a social constructivist approach in its exploration of banking sustainability practices in an emerging economy, and the research design is a purpose-based (exploratory) approach. The qualitative data was collected from 33 bank personnel from various bank units and departments through semi-structured interviews in order to achieve the research objective. Findings: The study reveals a lack of sustainability policies and programmes, as banks focus mainly on profitability. It uncovers unfair treatments of bank workers through casualisation, low wages, and work overload. It indicates that most banks in developing countries ignore environmental considerations, as they still carry out paper-based transactions and use dieselpowered generators, which cause various negative environmental impacts. It also confirms that governments and banks in the country are not doing enough to propagate sustainable practices and banks have also not taken advantage of the sustainability concept to promote their brands; instead, they consider it as requiring additional operational costs. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the need for banks to see sustainability from a marketing point of view and adopt sustainable practices to create additional value that will improve their brand image and enhance their competitiveness. Originality/value: The importance of sustainability in the banking industry in emerging economies is considered a viable means of contributing to the overall development goals of the United Nations as the world tries to preserve the environment. It also highlights the consequences of inaction or unsustainable banking practices

Ileus Biliaire : A Propos D’un Cas Clinique

Introduction: Gallstone ileus is a rare mechanical occlusion. It is caused by the enclosure of biliary macro lithiasis in a portion of the digestive tract resulting from a digestive bile fistula. We report a clinical case to discuss therapeutic modalities through a review of the literature. Medical observation: We report the case of a 77-year-old patient who was hospitalized in the Nephrology department of the university hospital in Montpellier for functional kidney failure and dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. The none-injected abdominal-pelvic CT scan showed a gallstone ileus with 5 enclaved duodenum, jejunum and ileum lithiasis resulting into a small bowel obstruction. There are no signs of acute cholecystitis. The management was simple by enterolithotomy surgery alone after fixing of hydro electrolyte imbalance. The after surgery sequence was simple. Conclusion: Gallstone ileus is a rare surgical condition. The high mortality rate in the management of this condition makes enterolithotomy the least invasive and recommended method

Review of Agricultural Waste Utilization as Improvement Additives for Residual Tropical Soils

The development of a nation partially depends on sustainable materials obtained from agricultural products. Increased agricultural products could increase the amount of waste generated yearly. This paper presents a review on the use of agricultural waste with pozzolanic properties (rice husk ash, Locust bean waste ash, Palm oil fuel ash, Banana leaf ash, Bagasse ash, Coconut shell ash, Bamboo leaf ash, Corn cob ash, Cassava peel ash and Palm kernel shell ash) in various geotechnical engineering applications. Interestingly, these wastes were subjected to various laboratory tests such as (particle size distribution, Compaction, Atterberg, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR)) to assess their effectiveness in soil improvement. In all these, the percentages of the materials required for soil improvement were discussed. The reports from various researchers have shown that agricultural waste having pozzolanic properties improves the engineering properties of soil. For instance, palm oil fuel ash (POFA) is mostly used as an admixture in concrete as reported elsewhere. Few studies have been carried out on the use of banana leaf ash and palm oil fuel ash as soil improvement materials. It is recommended that further researches should focus on the possibility of using other agricultural waste from Cocoyam, Yam peel, maize trunk, Cashew and Guava that have limited reporting researches for use as soil improvement materials

SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3: a link between radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and compact steep-spectrum radio sources?

We present SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3, a new case of radio-loud narrow line Seyfert 1 (RL NLS1) with a relatively high radio power (P1.4GHz=2.1x10^25 W Hz^-1) and large radioloudness parameter (R1.4=600+/-100). The radio source is compact with a linear size below ~1.4 kpc but, contrary to most of the RL NLS1 discovered so far with such a high R1.4, its radio spectrum is very steep (alpha=0.93) and not supporting a 'blazar-like' nature. Both the small mass of the central super-massive black-hole and the high accretion rate relative to the Eddington limit estimated for this object (3.2x10^7 Msun and 0.27, respectively, with a formal error of ~0.4 dex on both quantities) are typical of the class of NLS1. Through a modeling of the spectral energy distribution of the source we have found that the galaxy hosting SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 is undergoing a quite intense star-formation (SFR=50 Msun y^-1) which, however, is expected to contribute only marginally (~1 per cent) to the observed radio emission. The radio properties of SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 are remarkably similar to those of compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio sources, a class of AGN mostly composed by young radio galaxies. This may suggest a direct link between these two classes of AGN, with the CSS sources possibly representing the misaligned version (the so-called parent population) of RL NLS1 showing blazar characteristics.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Providing surgical care in Somalia: A model of task shifting.

ABSTRACT

Characterization of a glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase from Anoxybacillus sp. DT3-1

Background: In general, biofuel production involves biomass pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification, followed by the subsequent sugar conversion to biofuel via fermentation. The crucial step in the production of biofuel from biomass is the enzymatic saccharification. Many of the commercial cellulase enzyme cocktails, such as Spezyme® CP (Genencor), Acellerase™ 1000 (Genencor), and Celluclast® 1.5L (Novozymes), are ineffectively to release free glucose from the pretreated biomass without additional β-glucosidase. Results: In this study, for the first time, a β-glucosidase DT-Bgl gene (1359 bp) was identified in the genome of Anoxybacillus sp. DT3-1, and cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that DT-Bgl belonged to glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 1. The recombinant DT-Bgl was highly active on cello-oligosaccharides and p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (pNPG). The DT-Bgl was purified using an Ni-NTA column, with molecular mass of 53 kDa using an SDS-PAGE analysis. It exhibited optimum activity at 70 °C and pH 8.5, and did not require any tested co-factors for activation. The K m and V max values for DT-Bgl were 0.22 mM and 923.7 U/mg, respectively, with pNPG as substrate. The DT-Bgl displayed high glucose tolerance, and retained 93 % activity in the presence of 10 M glucose. Conclusions: Anoxybacillus DT-Bgl is a novel thermostable β-glucosidase with low glucose inhibition, and converts long-chain cellodextrins to cellobiose, and further hydrolyse cellobiose to glucose. Results suggest that DT-Bgl could be useful in the development of a bioprocess for the efficient saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN). Patients et méthode : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique sur 10 ans incluant tous les patients âgés de plus de 15 ans qui avaient été pris en charge pour appendicites compliquées à l’HNN. Résultats : durant la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi elles 512 étaient des appendicites compliquées (AC), soit 6, 30% des urgences abdominales et 27, 87% des appendicites. Il s’agissait de 337 (65, 82%) hommes et 175 (34, 18 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1, 92. L’âge moyen des patients était de 32, 83 [±14, 50] ans avec des extrêmes de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai moyen d’admission était de 6 [±3, 82] jours avec des extrêmes de 1 et de 14 jours. Les AC retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74, 02% des cas (n =379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21, 48% des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4, 5%(n=23) des cas. Le traitement avait été opératoire dans 95, 5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane dans 81, 05% des cas (n=415) et l’appendice était gangréné dans 95, 70% des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste le plus réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89, 84% des cas (n= 460). La durée moyenne d’hospitalisation était de 9 [±10, 61] jours avec des extrêmes d’un et de 76 jours. La morbimortalité globale était de 11, 52% avec 9, 96% de suppuration pariétale (n=51) et une mortalité de 1, 56% (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Il existe une corrélation significative entre le type de complications et le délai d’admission (P=0, 00001).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.   Objective: to report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (NHN). Patients and method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 10 years including all patients over the age of 15 who had been treated for complicated appendicitis at NHN. Results: during the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, among them 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.30% of abdominal emergencies and 27.87% of appendicitis. These were 337 (65.82%) men and 175 (34.18%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.92. The mean age of the patients was 32.83 [±14.50] years with extremes of 16 and 90 years. The average admission time was 6 [±3.82] days with extremes of 1 and 14 days. Complicated appendicitis found was appendicular peritonitis in 74.02% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.48% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n= 23) cases. The treatment was operative in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was the midline laparotomy in 81.05% of cases (n=415) and the appendix was gangrenous in 95.70% of cases (n=490) on exploration. The most performed procedure was appendectomy in 89.84% of cases (n = 460). The average duration of hospitalization was 9 [±10.61] days with extremes of one and 76 days. The overall morbidity and mortality was 11.52% with 9.96% parietal suppuration (n=51) and a mortality of 1.56% (n=8) all recorded among the cases of appendicular peritonitis. There is a significant correlation between the type of complications and the admission time (P=0.00001). Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common in NHN with significant morbidity and mortality. Delay in treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN). Patients et méthode : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique sur 10 ans incluant tous les patients âgés de plus de 15 ans qui avaient été pris en charge pour appendicites compliquées à l’HNN. Résultats : durant la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi elles 512 étaient des appendicites compliquées (AC), soit 6, 30% des urgences abdominales et 27, 87% des appendicites. Il s’agissait de 337 (65, 82%) hommes et 175 (34, 18 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1, 92. L’âge moyen des patients était de 32, 83 [±14, 50] ans avec des extrêmes de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai moyen d’admission était de 6 [±3, 82] jours avec des extrêmes de 1 et de 14 jours. Les AC retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74, 02% des cas (n =379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21, 48% des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4, 5%(n=23) des cas. Le traitement avait été opératoire dans 95, 5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane dans 81, 05% des cas (n=415) et l’appendice était gangréné dans 95, 70% des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste le plus réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89, 84% des cas (n= 460). La durée moyenne d’hospitalisation était de 9 [±10, 61] jours avec des extrêmes d’un et de 76 jours. La morbimortalité globale était de 11, 52% avec 9, 96% de suppuration pariétale (n=51) et une mortalité de 1, 56% (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Il existe une corrélation significative entre le type de complications et le délai d’admission (P=0, 00001).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.   Objective: to report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (NHN). Patients and method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 10 years including all patients over the age of 15 who had been treated for complicated appendicitis at NHN. Results: during the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, among them 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.30% of abdominal emergencies and 27.87% of appendicitis. These were 337 (65.82%) men and 175 (34.18%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.92. The mean age of the patients was 32.83 [±14.50] years with extremes of 16 and 90 years. The average admission time was 6 [±3.82] days with extremes of 1 and 14 days. Complicated appendicitis found was appendicular peritonitis in 74.02% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.48% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n= 23) cases. The treatment was operative in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was the midline laparotomy in 81.05% of cases (n=415) and the appendix was gangrenous in 95.70% of cases (n=490) on exploration. The most performed procedure was appendectomy in 89.84% of cases (n = 460). The average duration of hospitalization was 9 [±10.61] days with extremes of one and 76 days. The overall morbidity and mortality was 11.52% with 9.96% parietal suppuration (n=51) and a mortality of 1.56% (n=8) all recorded among the cases of appendicular peritonitis. There is a significant correlation between the type of complications and the admission time (P=0.00001). Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common in NHN with significant morbidity and mortality. Delay in treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

            Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN).   Résultats : Pendant  la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi lesquelles  512 étaient des appendicites compliquées, soit 6,3 % des urgences abdominales et 27,9 % de toutes les pathologies appendiculaires. Il s’agissait de 337 (65,8 %) hommes et 175 (34,2 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1,9. L’âge médian des patients était de 30 ans, avec 75% de patients d’âge inférieur ou égal à 40 ans (3è quartile=40 ans) ainsi que des extrêmes allant de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai d’admission  médian était   de 5 jours (Q1=3, Q3=7) avec un taux de 49,6 %(n=254) de patients  admis après 48 heures. Les appendicites compliquées retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74 % des cas (n=379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21,5 % des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4,5%(n=23) des cas. La chirurgie était pratiquée dans  95,5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane sus et sous ombilicale dans 81 % des cas (n=415) et l’incision de Mac Burney dans 14,5%(n=74). L’appendice était gangréné dans 95,7 % des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste  réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89,9 % des cas (n= 460).  L’étude rapporte que 93,3%(n=478) des patients avaient un séjour total (pré et postopératoire)  ≤ 10 jours avec des extrêmes allant d’un jour et de 76 jours d’hospitalisation. La morbimortalité globale était de 11,5 %(n= 59). La suppuration pariétale était retrouvée dans 10 % des cas (n= 51). La  mortalité  était de 1,5 % (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Le séjour hospitalier total (initial et post-appendicectomie) variait de un(1) jour à 76 jours ; 93,36%(n=478) avaient un séjour ≤ 10 jours. La médiane de séjour hospitalier était de 14,5 jours ; 75% des patients passaient moins de 28 jours en hospitalisation (3è quartile=28 jours).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.                 Objective : To report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN). Patients and method: This was a 10-year retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study including all patients over 15 years of age who had been managed for complicated appendicitis at HNN. Results: During the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, of which 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.3% of abdominal emergencies and 27.9% of all appendicular pathologies. These were 337 (65.8%) men and 175 (34.2%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.9. The median age of patients was 30 years, with 75% of patients less than or equal to 40 years of age (3rd quartile=40 years) as well as extremes ranging from 16 years to 90 years. The median time to admission was 5 days (Q1=3, Q3=7) with a rate of 49.6% (n=254) of patients admitted after 48 hours. Complicated appendicitis was appendicular peritonitis in 74% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.5% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n=23) of cases. Surgery was performed in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was median laparotomy above and subumbilical laparotomy in 81% of cases (n=415) and Mac Burney incision in 14.5% (n=74). The appendix was gangrenous in 95.7% of cases (n=490) on exploration. Appendectomy was performed in 89.9% of cases (n=460).  The study reports that 93.3% (n=478) of patients had a total stay (pre and postoperative) ≤ 10 days with extremes ranging from one day and 76 days of hospitalization. Overall morbidity mortality was 11.5% (n=59). Parietal suppuration was found in 10% of cases (n=51). Mortality was 1.5% (n=8), all recorded among cases of appendicular peritonitis. Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common at NNH with significant morbidity mortality. Delayed treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications.&nbsp