Factors that affect the uptake of community-based health insurance in low-income and middle-income countries : a systematic protocol

Many people residing in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are regularly exposed to catastrophic healthcare expenditure. It is therefore pertinent that LMICs should finance their health systems in ways that ensure that their citizens can use needed healthcare services and are protected from potential impoverishment arising from having to pay for services. Ways of financing health systems include government funding, health insurance schemes and out-of-pocket payment. A health insurance scheme refers to pooling of prepaid funds in a way that allows for risks to be shared. The health insurance scheme particularly suitable for the rural poor and the informal sector in LMICs is community-based health insurance (CBHI), that is, insurance schemes operated by organisations other than governments or private for-profit companies. We plan to search for and summarise currently available evidence on factors associated with the uptake of CBHI, as we are not aware of previous systematic reviews that have looked at this important topic

Effective Extension Information Dissemination Methods Used in Disseminating Organic Agricultural Practices as Mitigating Strategy for Climate Change in Kogi State - Nigeria

The major objective of the paper was to identify the most effective extension information teaching methods used in disseminating organic agricultural practices as mitigating strategy to climate change in Kogi State. A multi – stage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 270 respondents from the three senatorial districts in the state. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) was used in data analysis. Results show that increase in atmospheric heat (x? = 4.74), increased Weed growth (x? = 4.62), reduction in Soil fertility (x? = 4.59), decreased yield of crops (x? = 4.52), increase in Pests and Diseases (x? =4.39), increase in health related issues (x? = 4.32), decrease in the availability of portable water (x? = 4.14) are the most common and significant effects of climate change in the study area. The paper also identified group meetings (77.8%), informal personal contacts (72.9%), farm and home visits (70%), training and visits (67%), result demonstration (63.7%), field trips (60.4%), radio programmes (55.2%) and agricultural exhibitions (52.6%) as the most effective extension information dissemination methods employed by extension agents in the state in disseminating organic agriculture. The paper concluded that the disparity between the level of awareness and adoption of recommended organic agricultural practice in the study area is as a result of non frequent contact between extension agents and farmers. It was recommended that extension agents should reschedule their activities and programmes to accommodate frequent contact with the farmers. Government should increase funding on extension programmes and activities and engage more extension personnel in the state. Keywords: Effective, Information Dissemination, Organic Agriculture, Mitigating Strategy, Climate Change

Assessment of Compliance with Development Regulations in Abeokuta-West Zonal Planning Area, Nigeria

Development control is a medium through which the land use is licensed for building and other purposes backed-up by planning laws and regulations. Despite the importance of development control measures in physical and environmental balancing, a series of factors still hinder its effectiveness. The paper examines the compliance with development regulations in Abeokuta-West Zonal Planning Area, Nigeria. Primary and secondary sources of data were used. A questionnaire and personal interview were both used. Multi-stage sampling method was adopted because the buildings in the planning area are numerous and spatially located. The planning area was divided into nine zones which were classified into three; from which Obada-Oko, Oke-Ata, and Bode-Olude areas were considerably selected. The number of buildings in the selected areas was 668 buildings, and 40% was used to select the sample for each area, the research then had a sample size of 267 buildings The selection of sample size was carried out systematically for the administration of questionnaires by the residents (building owners). The data collected were presented and analysed through the use of descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that 78.7% of the residents were aware of the existence of penalties for building without permission; 68.5% of the resident did not obtain a development permit, while 15.6% out of the 31.5% that obtained a development permit deviated from the approved building plan; and 58.3% of the residents were not satisfied with the procedures involved in obtaining development permit, because it is cumbersome and expensive.  Regulatory measures were recommended for the improvement of development control practice in the study area. These include the provision of the framework as a guide for physical development; effective public awareness; and enlightenment programmes. Also, various socio-economic classes (high, medium, and low classes), especially the low-income earners, should be given considerate attention in the course of policy formulation and planning implementation

PLASMA LIPID PROFILE AND SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN DOMESTICATED GREATER CANE RAT (Thryonomys swinderianus temminck)

Some serum biochemical parameters and lipid profile indices were determined in eight male adult greater cane rats Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck, raised under intensive management system. Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma were assayed spectrophotometrically, following venopuncture-blood collection and subsequent separation of plasma. Glucose, total protein, albumin and bilirubin as well as lipid profile indices such as total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids concentration were also determined. In comparison with data from previous studies on wild and captive cane rats, our results indicate lower lipid profile indices and total protein. Activities of hepatic enzymes (AST and ALT) were also lower, while plasma glucose concentration was higher in this third generation greater cane rats. It is concluded that certain aspects of management system in domestication may have a profound influence on biochemical parameters most especially the lower LDL-cholesterol that reduces the risk of atherosclerosis (cardiac disease). This study, therefore offers baseline data for third generation intensively raised greater cane rats.Â

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) in the Great Lakes: Playing with fire?

The Laurentian Great Lakes have been successfully invaded by at least 182 nonindigenous species. Here we report on two new species, water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes and water lettuce Pistia stratiotes, that were found at a number of locations in Lake St. Clair and Detroit River during autumn 2010. Both species are commonly sold in the water garden and aquarium trade in southern Ontario and elsewhere. While it is not clear whether these species are established or can establish in the Great Lakes, the historic assumption that neither of these subtropical to tropical plants pose an invasion risk must be questioned in the light of changing environmental conditions associated with climate warming that may render Great Lakes\u27 habitats more suitable for these species and increase the likelihood of their successful establishment. © 2011 The Author(s)

EFFECTS OF ADMINISTERING A COMBINATION OF VITAMINS A AND E ON FERTILITY AND HATCHABILITY OF ANAK 2000 BREEDERS

The ameliorative effect of a combined regime of vitamins A and E on fertility and hatchability was investigated in Anak 2000 breeders. Vitamin A and E individually administered at a dose rate of 0.125 ml/kg body weight intramuscularly produced an improvement in hatchability, fertility, and sperm quality. The percentage fertility (46%) and hatchability (40.5%) before vitamin A&E  administration was compared to those of fertility (76.9%) and hatchability (76.8%) after vitamin administration and found to be statistically significant at p<0.05. From the findings of this study, we can therefore postulate that intramuscular administration of vitamin A and E during acute episode of nutritional hypovitaminosis provokes a quick and prompt response in birds &nbsp

Extraction of Cu, Zn, and Ni from waste silica-rich integrated circuits by sulfation roasting and water leaching

Staff PublicationHigh-tech electrical and electronic equipment contain large numbers of silica-rich integrated circuits (SRICs) which after its end of life generate huge amount of waste; however, its valuable metal contents can be properly recycled. Extraction of Cu, Ni, and Zn from pulverized SRIC obtained from discarded waste electrical and electronic equipments (WEEE) by sulfation roasting followed by water leaching was studied. Co-extraction of other metals such as Fe, Al, and Pb present in the sample was also explored. Effects of H2SO4/SRIC ratio, roasting temperature, time, and varying water leaching conditions on the extraction efficiencies were evaluated. The optimum conditions for Cu, Zn, and Ni extractions were determined as H2SO4/SRIC ratio 0.5, roasting temperature 300 °C, roasting time 60 min, leaching temperature 50 °C, leaching time 60 min, and liquid–solid ratio = 10:1 (i.e., 100 mL/10 g) with extraction efficiencies of 61.9, 84.9, and 93.6% for Cu, Ni, Zn, and co-extractions of Fe and Al were 71.1 and 55.6, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, approximate 20% Fe3+ was naturally precipitated which is advantageous for the subsequent step. Comparatively, higher extraction efficiencies of Cu, Zn, and Ni were observed in water leaching of H2SO4-roasted sample than direct H2SO4 leaching of raw sample keeping other leaching conditions constant. Lead retained in the roasted–leached residue was extracted with dilute HCl leaving silica and Al in the final leached residue. Process flow sheet for the extraction of Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb and reuse of silicon from waste SRICs was proposed

Effect of two different heat transfer fluids on the performance of solar tower csp by comparing recompression supercritical co2 and rankine power cycles, china

China intends to develop its renewable energy sector in order to cut down on its pollution levels. Concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies are expected to play a key role in this agenda. This study evaluated the technical and economic performance of a 100 MW solar tower CSP in Tibet, China, under different heat transfer fluids (HTF), i.e., Salt (60% NaNO3 40% KNO3 ) or HTF A, and Salt (46.5% LiF 11.5% NaF 42% KF) or HTF B under two different power cycles, namely supercritical CO2 and Rankine. Results from the study suggest that the Rankine power cycle with HTF A and B recorded capacity factors (CF) of 39% and 40.3%, respectively. The sCO2 power cycle also recorded CFs of 41% and 39.4% for HTF A and HTF B, respectively. A total of 359 GWh of energy was generated by the sCO2 system with HTF B, whereas the sCO2 system with HTF A generated a total of 345 GWh in the first year. The Rankine system with HTF A generated a total of 341 GWh, while the system with B as its HTF produced a total of 353 GWh of electricity in year one. Electricity to grid mainly occurred between 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. throughout the year. According to the results, the highest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) (real) of 0.1668 USD/kWh was recorded under the Rankine cycle with HTF A. The lowest LCOE (real) of 0.1586 USD/kWh was obtained under the sCO2 cycle with HTF B. In general, all scenarios were economically viable at the study area; however, the sCO2 proved to be more economically feasible according to the simulated results. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland