Knowledge Organization Research in the last two decades: 1988-2008

We apply an automatic topic mapping system to records of publications in knowledge organization published between 1988-2008. The data was collected from journals publishing articles in the KO field from Web of Science database (WoS). The results showed that while topics in the first decade (1988-1997) were more traditional, the second decade (1998-2008) was marked by a more technological orientation and by the appearance of more specialized topics driven by the pervasiveness of the Web environment

Correlation between serum zinc level and height of adolescent school girls in a Nigerian community

Background: This study aims to asses the nutritional status among adolescent school girls using their serum zinc levels and to correlate it with their height.Method: This is a cross-sectional study of adolescent girls attending public secondary schools in Oshimili local govt. area of Delta state in Midwestern Nigeria.Results: The mean serum zinc level of the total population was 13.30mmol/l±5.82. Majority (58.3%) of the girls failed to attain the threshold value of 10.71mmol/l of serum zinc. The mean height of the population was 155.4cm with Standard Deviation Scores (SDS) score of  -0.64±0.48, while the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 19.1kg/m2 ±2.91 with an SDS score of -0.54±0.47. The mean serum zinc level of urban girls (11.05±4.66ìmol/l) was significantly lower than that of rural girls (15.54±6.31ìmol/l) (p = .009). There was no correlation between the mean serum zinc levels with height SDS (p=0.28) and the BMI SDS (p=0.69).Conclusion: Majority of the adolescent girls in Oshimili local GovernmentArea of Delta State Mid western Nigeria have low serum zinc level when compared to threshold value, and there was no correlation of serum zinc with their height SDS or BMI SDS.  Key Words: Adolescent girls, Zinc level, Height, BMI , Correlation

Unusual presentation of necrotizing fasciitis in an HIV exposed infant: A Case Report.

Necrotizing fasciitis(NF) is a  potentially life threatening  soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly spreading inflammation with necrosis of fascia, subcutaneous tissues and  overlying skin and is associated with  signs of systemic toxicity. We present a case report of an uncommon presentation of NF in an HIV exposed infant. This report is highlighting the unique combination of absence of known pre existing cause, unusual site of presentation of NF, in this instance, it presented on the scalp, in an HIV exposed neonate. It also stressed the importance prompt diagnosis of all skin lesions in HIV exposed neonates, and the role of early diagnosis and aggressive multi disciplinary team management in salvaging NF which is a potentially fatal condition

Motherhood in Nigeria: Still unsafe

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Modifiable risk factors of hypertension and socio demographic profile in Oghara, Delta state; prevalence and correlates

Background: Factors associated with the development of hypertension can be categorized into modifiable and non‑modifiable risk factors. The modifiable risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, high salt diet, smoking alcohol consumption and others. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension in a rural community; Oghara and to ascertain if any association exists with these risk factors and socio‑demographic variables. Subjects and Methods: Descriptive cross‑sectional study design was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of 6 months (Feburary 2012 to August 2012). Cluster sampling was utilized to select a total of 272 respondents for the study. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data and data analysis was performed by SPSS version 16.0 (Chicago II, USA). Results: The prevalence of hypertension is 21.0% (57/272), while the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension such as smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity are 15.8% (43/272), 43.4% (118/272) and 18.8% (51/272) respectively. There is a statistical significant association between hypertension and smoking (P < 0.001), as well as hypertension and alcohol. (P < 0.001), on the other hand socio‑demographic variables were significantly associated with smoking (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study showed high prevalence of modifiable risk factors of hypertension. This underscores the need for preventive efforts to encourage changes in life style pattern in order to reverse the impending epidemic of hypertension and other non‑communicable diseases.Keywords: Delta State, Hypertension, Modifiable risk factors, Oghar

Natural Resource Conflict: The Bakassi Lesson for Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan over Abyei

The split of Sudan into two sovereign states, Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan, in July 20 II did not come as a surprise to many interested parties to the Sudanese conflict. Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan have intensified their dispute over an oil rich border region of Abyei. This article looks at the history of another border dispute between Nigeria and Cameroun over Bakassi peninsula with the aim of identifying mistakes made by the two neighbors, Nigeria and Cameroun, in trying to resolve the dispute. Specifically, this study suggests paths Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan can follow to resolve their border dispute without committing the same mistakes made by Nigeria and Cameroun over Bakassi

Gender identity: A force in Igbo traditional musical practices

Right from the genesis of creation, God made them male and female. In the same vein, specific roles are assigned in relation to or in response to such gender distinction, either humanly ascribed or Divine. The type of role to a large extent determines the nature of musical involvement at any given situation. This essay views some of such gender ascribed roles as they concern Igbo traditional society and the type of musical performances associated with each of the roles. It also examines the implications of gender upon music performance in Igbo traditional society

Opt-Out Model of HIV Screening- A Study in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Nigeria is the most burdened with mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, accounting for nearly one-third of the global prevalence in 2015. Advances in the treatment of MTCT of HIV with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) suggest significant reductions in transmission rates from ≥ 30% to ≤ 1%. HIV testing is the linchpin to the treatment, but low-test acceptance is still prevalent among pregnant women including those attending antenatal clinics (ANC). The World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines for improving HIV testing in ANC; recommending provider-initiated routine testing approach, different from the current on-request client-led voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). However, the adoption of such a strategy requires settings’ understanding of both the clinical and economic impact. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and economic impact of routine offer of antenatal HIV testing for PMTCT in an urban health facility in North Central Nigeria. Study design: A pre-post (before and after) non-randomized controlled study was conducted. Methods: Midwife counsellors were trained to provide and recommend HIV testing to all the women attending ANC, using streamlined counselling. Data in ANC logbook was extracted and key outcomes during the 3-months client-initiated testing were compared with a 3-months record during the implementation of routine offer of HIV testing strategy. Results: After the introduction of routine HIV testing, the proportion of pregnant women in the study site who underwent and learned their HIV status increased from 142(46.4%) to 292 (94.5%) and HIV-positive cases identified rose from 15 (10.1%) to 44(15%). HIV positive women receiving treatment intervention for PMTCT increased from 10(66%) to 44(100%). 5 Aggregate cost and cost per unit testing were £38183.50 and £20204.80 and £130.70 and £136 for routine and client-initiated approaches, respectively. Cases of HIV infection averted in children during routine testing were 34.32 compared with the client-initiated approach of 10.8. Additional cost per HIV averted was £398.42 while the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £764.40. Conclusion: Provider-initiated HIV testing was both clinically and economically effective. Routine testing led to a substantial increase in test acceptance and reductions in transmission rates at ICER value below the recommended threshold (ICER below three times the gross domestic product: $2,177.99 for Nigeria). In the context of policy goal in maximizing limited HIV resources, this study suggests that there may be considerable benefits in the provision of HCT, using routine testing strategy. The efficient adoption of the policy should be based on local contextual considerations such as the prevalence and availability of human resources

Big Data, Big machines, Big Science : vers une société sans sujet et sans causalité ?

International audienceLes dernières " avancées " en matière des Technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) ont accéléré la virtualisation de nombreux secteurs d'activité. Le Big Data, le Cloud computing, l'Open Data et le web participatif entraînent des bouleversements importants en science et en société. Un des effets qui suscite de l'inquiétude est le recours croissant aux algorithmes de traitement des données massives (Big data) comme mode de pilotage des affaires. Le Big data a normalisé et entériné un certains nombre de paradoxes qui méritent que l'on s'y arrête pour en expliciter toutes les implications non seulement pour la science mais aussi pour la société