The Eradication of Complexities in Human-Computer Interface Design for Increased System Usage Productivity

Computer applications have been developed for virtually all sectors, ranging from medicine, banking to education. The mostimportant factor for the proper use of a computer program is the interface; however in recent times, some computer programshave become highly intricate and uneasy to manipulate. Efforts by programmers to make productive and interactive systemshave been successful yet there is the tendency to introduce complexity and sophistication in the interface designs. This paperattempts to review issues surrounding Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and its relationship to Information Systems. Weidentify some causes of complexity in user interface design and provide solution paradigms to mitigate these complexities.Keywords: Interface design, Human-Computer Interaction, Complexities, Systems and Usabilit

OIL VALUE VARIATIONS AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS TOWARDS WEALTH CREATION OF OIL AND GAS VENDING CORPORATIONS

The study investigated the effect of oil value variations and cost-effectiveness towards wealth creation of oil and gas vending corporations. The main objective of the study was to determine whether oil value variation impact on cost-effectiveness in the processes of wealth creation in oil and gas vending corporations in Nigeria. Data were obtained from secondary sources such as annual financial reports of corporations which were within the coverage years of investigation. Simple regression technique was used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed that, oil value variations do not significantly affect cost-effectiveness in the processes of wealth creation of oil and gas vending corporations under consideration. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the management of companies should devise effective strategies in regulating and controlling the effect of oil value variations on their corporate cost-effectiveness towards wealth creation. JEL: L20; L22; L72  Article visualizations

Pediatric trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges in overcoming the scourge

All over the world, pediatric trauma has emerged as an important public health problem. It accounts for the highest mortality in children and young adults in developed countries. Reports from Africa on trauma in the pediatric age group are few and most have been single center experience. In many low-and middle-income countries, the death rates from trauma in the pediatric age group exceed those found in developed countries. Much of this mortality is preventable by developing suitable preventive measures, implementing an effective trauma system and adapting interventions that have been implemented in developed countries that have led to significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality. This review of literature on the subject by pediatric and orthopedic surgeons from different centers in Africa aims to highlight the challenges faced in the care of these patients and proffer solutions to the scourge

Primary Swenson Pull-Through in Infants Less Than 4-Months: A Preliminary Report

Background: In our center, our approach has been to practice the traditional staged procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease. This prospective study was to determine the feasibility of early neonatal pull through and in infants less than 4 months. Methods: 5 consecutive patients with Hirschsprung's disease under 4 months of age were recruited in to the study. Full thickness rectal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in all the patients. A primary definitive Swenson's pull through was using standard technique with intraoperative frozen section when available. Perioperative Ceftriaxone and metronidazole was administered preoperatively. A rectal tube made from a 2cc syringe was left in situ for 5-7 days after the operation Results: Four of the patients were seen within the neonatal period and a patient presented at 13 weeks, the male to female ratio is 4:1. The mean weight at admission is 3.20kg while the mean weight at surgery was 3.75kg. Intra-operative frozen section revealed that two patients had aganglionosis up to the proximal sigmoid colon while 2 other patients had an aganglionosis up to the proximal descending colon and the distal transverse colon respectively. All the patients were commenced with oral intake on or before 4th post-operative day. Wound infection and paralytic ileus occurred in the immediate post operative period in one patient each while another developed an incisional hernia. None of these complications was life threatening and were all managed as required. Bowel opening in the patients range from 2-5 times daily. Conclusions: Based on this preliminary study it can be concluded that primary neonatal and early infancy pull through is feasible and advantageous to the patients. Further prospective works in this area are needed coupled with improvement in the neonatal care facilities. Keywords: Hirschsprung's disease, Primary Swenson pullthrough, infants > African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 56-5

Experience with Exomphalos in a Tertiary Health Center in Nigeria

There is paucity of data on the pattern, presentation and outcome ofmanagement of exomphalos in developing countries. Aretrospective study of all cases of exomphalos managed within a at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching hospital, Ile Ife, SouthwesternNigeria. Ninety-one cases of exomphalos were managed over the study period. Forty-six (50.5%) were males and 45 (49.5%) were females (M:F=1:1). The mean age at presentation was 2.48days (range 2hours - 15 days). The median weight was 3.0kg (range 1.6 - 4.95kg). Sixty four (7.3%) patients had major exomphalos (defect > 5cm) while 27 (29.7%) were minor (defec

Ecotourism and Economic Development of Calabar Municipal, Cross River State, Nigeria

<p>The aim of the study was to examined ecotourism and the economic development of Calabar Municipal, Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, a null hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. A review of related literature was carried out based on the variable of this study. The survey research design was considered useful for the study. The research adopted multiple sampling approaches. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 232 subjects used as sample in each ward in the Local Government Area. A twenty-item modified four (4) points Likert scale questionnaire titled Ecotourism and Economic Development of Calabar Municipal Questionnaire (EEDCMQ) was the instruments used for gathering data for the study. To test the hypotheses formulated for the study, Pearson's product moment correlation statistical tools was used for data analysis. The hypothesis formulated was tested at 0.05 alpha level. The results from data analysis and hypothesis testing indicated that there is a significant relationship between ecotourism and the economic development in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that the state government should ensure investment in basic infrastructure such as roads, better airports facilities and good transport system.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p&gt

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care