On the response of impacting compliant flex run

Damage caused by impacts of structures can result in catastrophic failure, including huge loss of life. A typical example involves a Flexrun which is particularly vulnerable to several impacts on the ground surface. It is, therefore, becoming increasingly important to be able to model and predict such phenomena. The impact of an impacting compliant system such as a Flexrun on the ground surface is simulated by the general purpose explicit dynamic finite element program LS-DYNA. The complicated geometry has been modeled in Solid Edge ST6 before being imported into LS PrePost/LS-DYNA for the required analysis. The response characteristics of the Flexrun show the effect of impacting velocity on strain and stress histories of the mechanism. Results reveal that within the impacting velocity of 15m/s, the effective stress and strain responses remain unchanged.Keywords: compliant mechanism, impact-contact, LS-DYNA, hyperelastic, Flex-Ru

Effects of Remittance Inflows on Economic Growth of Nigeria

This study investigates the impacts of remittance inflows on the economic growth of Nigeria.  We employed remittance inflows, and some other traditional sources of economic growth, such as Gross Capital Formation, Foreign Direct Investment, openness and foreign exchange rate to evaluate the influence of remittance inflows on economic growth of Nigeria. Co integration and causality tests were deployed to analysis the data collected, the result of our study revealed that there are long run equilibrium relationship among the variables that were employed.  Furthermore, the causality test shows a uni-direction causality from Gross Domestic Product to Remittance Inflows Gross, Capital Formation to Remittances, and Remittance Inflows to Openness. Keywords: Remittance inflows, Economic growth, Cointegration.

Stability Analysis of Fluid-Conveying Beams using Artificial Intelligence

This paper employs artificial intelligence in predicting the stability of pipes conveying fluid. Field data was collected for different pipe structures and usage. Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model is implemented to predict the stability of the pipe using the fundamental natural frequency at different flow velocities as the index of stability. Results reveal that the neuro-fuzzy model compares relatively well with the conventional finite element method. It was also established that a pipe conveying fluid is most stable when the pipe is clamped at both ends but least stable when it is a cantilever

Large Deformation Behaviour of Continuum Compliant Systems

ABSTRACT Continuum topology of continuous, monolithic compliant mechanisms is designed for finite elastic deformation such that an output port moves in a desired direction when a specified force is applied through an input port. The pseudo-rigid body equivalent of compliant mechanisms (CMs) has been the conventional approach used by earlier researchers to synthesize and analyze compliant mechanisms. Attempts at direct analysis from existing literature are predicted on such assumptions as static linearity or a few times geometric nonlinear conditions. These are justifiable in several situations where compliant systems have been successful in replacing materials with several moving parts. However, the application domain of compliant mechanisms is widening to dynamic environment where the deformations are relatively large. It is therefore necessary to consider nonlinearities resulting from geometry and hyperelasticity. In this paper, methods of continuum mechanics and nonlinear finite element method were deployed to develop model that could capture the behaviour of compliant mechanisms. A hybrid system of symbolic algebra (AceGEN) and a compiled back end (AceFEM) were employed, leveraging both ease of use and computational efficiency. Numerical results using published laboratory investigated compliant mechanisms reveal the deviation that exists with linear and only geometric nonlinear assumptions

CALCIFICATION IN THE ARTICULATED CORALLINE ALGA CORALLINA-PILULIFERA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED CO2 CONCENTRATION

Calcification in Corallina pilulifera Postels et Ruprecht displayed diurnal variations in aerated (350 ppm CO2) culture media, with faster rates during the light than during the dark period. Addition of CO2 (air + 1250 ppm) inhibited calcification. This was attributable to the decreased pH resulting from CO2 addition. Both photosynthesis and calcification were enhanced in seawater, with elevated dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations at a constant pH of 8.2

Association between Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) gene polymorphism and carcass traits in improved Nigerian indigenous chickens

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) is a key regulator of muscle development and metabolism in birds and other vertebrate. Our objective was to determine the association between IGF1 gene polymorphism and carcass traits in FUNAAB Alpha chicken. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood of 50 normal feathered birds. At 10 weeks, the birds were slaughtered for carcass traits. Specific primers for chicken IGF1 were used for amplification of a 622 base segment. The amplified gene products were digested with Hinf1 restriction enzyme and the digested fragments were genotyped. Allele frequencies were 52% and 48% for A and B, respectively. Genotype frequencies were 27%, 50% and 23% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, respectively. All carcass traits values and the IGF1 gene polymorphism observed were subjected to analysis of variance and the mean were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the occurrence of the polymorphism did not affect all the carcass traits but AB genotypes had the highest carcass traits values than the AA and BB genotypes. The conclusion of this study demonstrated that IGF-1 gene, to some extent, could be a candidate gene that affects carcass traits in Improved Nigerian indigenous chicken.Keywords: IGF-1, PCR-RFLP, indigenous chicke

ENHANCED GROWTH OF THE RED ALGA PORPHYRA-YEZOENSIS UEDA IN HIGH CO2 CONCENTRATIONS

Leafy thalli of the red alga Porphyra yezoensis Ueda, initiated from conchospores released from free-living conchocelis, were cultured using aeration with high CO2. It was found that the higher the CO2 concentration, the faster the growth of the thalli. Aeration with elevated CO2 lowered pH in dark, but raised pH remarkably in light with the thalli, because the photosynthetic conversion of HCO3- to OH- and CO2 proceeded much faster than the dissociation of hydrated CO2 releasing H+. Photosynthesis of the alga was found to be enhanced in the seawater of elevated dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, CO2 + HC O3- + CO3-). It is concluded that the increased pH in the light resulted in the increase of DIC in the culture media, thus enhancing photosynthesis and growth. The relevance of the results to removal of atmospheric CO2 by marine algae is discussed

Acceptability of pre-referral rectal artesunate for severe malaria in children under 5 years by health workers and caregivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Uganda

BACKGROUND: For children below 6 years with suspected severe malaria attending a health care provider unable to provide parenteral malaria treatment, pre-referral rectal artesunate (RAS) is recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent death and disability. A number of African countries are in the process of rolling out quality-assured RAS for pre-referral treatment of severe malaria at community-level. The success of RAS depends, among other factors, on the acceptability of RAS in the communities where it is being rolled-out. Yet to date, there is limited literature on RAS acceptability. This study aimed to determine the acceptability of RAS by health care providers and child caregivers in communities where quality assured RAS was rolled out. This study was nested within the comprehensive multi-country observational research project Community Access to Rectal Artesunate for Malaria (CARAMAL), implemented in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Uganda between 2018 and 2020. Data from three different sources were analysed to understand RAS acceptability: interviews with health workers during three health care provider surveys (N = 341 community health workers and 467 primary health facility workers), with caregivers of children < 5 years of age during three household surveys (N = 9332 caregivers), and with caregivers of children < 5 years of age who were treated with RAS and enrolled in the CARAMAL Patient Surveillance System (N = 3645 caregivers). RESULTS: RAS acceptability was high among all interviewed stakeholders in the three countries. After the roll-out of RAS, 97-100% heath care providers in DRC, 98-100% in Nigeria and 93-100% in Uganda considered RAS as very good or good. Majority of caregivers whose children had received RAS for pre-referral management of severe malaria indicated that they would want to get the medication again, if their child had the same illness (99.8% of caregivers in DRC, 100% in Nigeria and 99.9% in Uganda). In three household surveys, 67-80% of caregivers whose children had not previously received RAS considered the medication as useful. CONCLUSION: RAS was well accepted by health workers and child caregivers in DRC, Nigeria and Uganda. Acceptability is unlikely to be an obstacle to the large-scale roll-out of RAS in the studied settings

The role of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in reimagining HIV/AIDS inequalities

Over 70 million people globally have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. HIV infection has neither a cure nor a vaccine; hence, education and awareness have been adopted to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite the action to reduce the HIV prevalence with access to effective information, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, it remains a major health concern and a chronic health condition that could only be managed by enabling people living with the condition a better, longer, and healthy life. However, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), which is a right-based approach that provides and equips people with the right knowledge on sexual education and reproductive health, can be utilised in sexual health promotion. It comprises seven essential components that focus on several aspects of sexuality. Thus, this paper provides evidence for the importance of CSE in reducing HIV prevalence, especially amongst the vulnerable population. The incorporation of long-term sexuality education programs in the school-based curriculum will contribute to the massive reduction in teenage pregnancies and abortion, and the decline in rates of sexually transmitted infections and HIV. It will also increase the knowledge about sexual and reproductive issues normalization and self-efficacy. Hence, CSE health educators and school teachers should be adequately trained in comprehensive sexuality education to curb the spread of HIV infection

Prereferral rectal artesunate and referral completion among children with suspected severe malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Uganda

INTRODUCTION: Children who receive prereferral rectal artesunate (RAS) require urgent referral to a health facility where appropriate treatment for severe malaria can be provided. However, the rapid improvement of a child's condition after RAS administration may influence a caregiver's decision to follow this recommendation. Currently, the evidence on the effect of RAS on referral completion is limited. METHODS: An observational study accompanied the roll-out of RAS in three malaria endemic settings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria and Uganda. Community health workers and primary health centres enrolled children under 5 years with suspected severe malaria before and after the roll-out of RAS. All children were followed up 28 days after enrolment to assess their treatment-seeking pathways. RESULTS: Referral completion was 67% (1408/2104) in DRC, 48% (287/600) in Nigeria and 58% (2170/3745) in Uganda. In DRC and Uganda, RAS users were less likely to complete referral than RAS non-users in the pre-roll-out phase (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.48, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.77 and aOR=0.72, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.88, respectively). Among children seeking care from a primary health centre in Nigeria, RAS users were less likely to complete referral compared with RAS non-users in the post-roll-out phase (aOR=0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.71). In Uganda, among children who completed referral, RAS users were significantly more likely to complete referral on time than RAS non-users enrolled in the pre-roll-out phase (aOR=1.81, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.79). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study raise legitimate concerns that the roll-out of RAS may lead to lower referral completion in children who were administered prereferral RAS. To ensure that community-based programmes are effectively implemented, barriers to referral completion need to be addressed at all levels. Alternative effective treatment options should be provided to children unable to complete referral. TRIAL REGISTRSTION NUMBER: NCT03568344; ClinicalTrials.gov