Rainfall interpolation analysis on river Kaduna catchment for climate change assessment

The Inverse Distance Weighing (IDW) technique for rainfall interpolation considered by researchers as a suitable method for predicting missing rainfall records was used to estimate missing rainfall records in River Kaduna Catchment area from 1979-1990. Distances among respective rainfall stations were used to calculate the weighing factor for stations with missing records and radius of influence of 22.5-201km. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was used to test the accuracy of the assessment and the results were validated using correlation coefficient. From the results of the analysis through optimization of steps of α values and radius of influence, the smaller the optimum parameter value the better the prediction and in most cases the accuracy increases at short optimum search radii, also small amount and long duration rainfall values enhances the prediction potential of the IDW.Keywords: Rainfall data, Inverse Distance Weighing, Interpolation, Optimum parameter

Salam in Financing the Green Enterprenueship Education in Nigeria

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of Salam finance in the growth of green entrepreneurship education (agriculture) to meet the employment level of the Nigerian youth, income generation to the individual and the government, food security, poverty reduction and increase the supply of raw materials to the industries and export. Almost, 70 percent of the Nigerian youth and able bodies are employed in agriculture and related sectors as their major source income. The paper intends to study this free Shariah financial product in order to recognize how it can contribute to the Nigerian youth entrepreneurship, since, Nigeria is the most populous and agrarian and country on the African continent. It recommends that free interest financial institutions should provide Salam mode of financing to agriculture. It is with the anticipation that Salam finance will be impacted on the agricultural produce, improve youth employment opportunities, and income. It will also promote economic growth as well as an alternative solution to the Nigerian economic problems. This paper is conceptual in the methodology

Phytochemical, nutraceutical and antioxidant studies of the aerial parts of Daucus carota L. (Apiaceae)

Introduction: Carrot is a rich source of anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamins A, B and C. The aerial parts are used as livestock feed in some parts of Northern Nigeria with little or no scientific evidence of its nutritional potential. This study established the phytochemical, nutritional and antioxidant potentials of carrot aerial parts. Methods: The proximate and elemental analyses of the aerial parts were determined using Association of Official Analyst Chemist (AOAC) method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method for quantification of antioxidant properties in the crude extracts. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of steroid/triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins and saponins in ethylacetate and methanol crude extracts. The proximate analysis revealed crude protein (14.59%), lipid (10.37%), fibre (9.07%), carbohydrate (51.81%), moisture (10.23%) and the ash content (12.99%). The aerial parts were rich in P (11.00 mg/L), Na (5.38 mg/L), Fe (3.19 mg/L), K (2.25 mg/L), Ca (2.02 mg/L), Mn (1.15 mg/L), Mg (1.02 mg/L), As (0.83 mg/L), Se (0.40 mg/L), Zn (0.26 mg/L), Cu (0.13 mg/L), Cd (-0.02 mg/L), Cr (0.02 mg/L), Ni (0.17 mg/L) and Pb (0.04 mg/L). The antioxidant activity showed that ethylacetate and methanol extracts had EC50 of 86.89 ug/mL and 166.79 ug/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Daucus carota aerial parts are rich in nutritional compositions and may be used as livestock feed supplements and also as vegetables for mankind. Its utilization could be incorporated in daily diets and boost food security in developing countries

OUTPUT BASED INPUT SHAPING FOR OPTIMAL CONTROL OF SINGLE LINK FLEXIBLE MANIPULATOR

Endpoint residual vibrations and oscillations due to flexible and rigid body motions are big challenges in control of single link flexible manipulators, it makes positioning of payload difficult especially when using various payloads. This paper present output based input shaping with two different control algorithms for optimal control of single link flexible manipulators. Output based filter (OBF) is designed using the signal output of the system and then incorporated with both linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and PID separately for position and residual vibration control. The Robustness of these control algorithms are tested by changing the payloads from 0g to30g, 50g and 70g in each case. Based on MATLAB simulation results and time response analysis, LQR-OBF outperformed the PID-OBF in both tracking and vibration reduction

HYBRID POSITION AND VIBRATION CONTROL OF NONLINEAR CRANE SYSTEM

This paper presents comparative assessments of input shaping techniques using two different approaches, for sway reduction of cranes system. First, the shaper was designed at maximum load hoisting length while the second was designed at average load hoisting length. These were accomplished using curve fitting toolbox in MATLAB. In both case; Zero Vibration (ZV), Zero Vibration Derivative (ZVD) and Zero Vibration Derivative Derivatives (ZVDD) were designed. Average hoisting length (AHL) shapers performed better than the Maximum hoisting length (MHL) shapers. Proportional integral derivative (PID) was incorporated for position control. After successful implementation, Simulation results show that a precise payload positioning was achieved. AHL-ZVDD has superior performances in sway reduction and robustness.

An Assessment of Alternative Water Source for Domestic Used in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

Making freshwater available in urban centre are major challenge to be faced in 21st century globally. Population growth and industrialisation have put a lot of pressure on water resources the world over. Minna, the capital city of Niger State Nigeria, has witnessed population growth due to the influx of people from the various regions to seek greener pastures. The population growths have resulted in an inadequate water supply to the populace by conventional means. These problems result in an individual effort to meet their daily water demand. To explore this problem, structured questionnaire were distributed to two hundred households purposively selected from six areas in the town and semi-structured interviews were administered on five water analyst. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected. The study reveals that inadequate budgetary allocation to ministry of water resources is the major problem hindering water availability in Minna. The three alternative sources of water supply for domestic use identified were well water, water from vendors and boreholes. Consequently increase in resource allocation to the ministry of water resources in a way of policy framework that guaranty private investment in water sector, among others to improve water availability in the study area. Key words: alternative, water, sources, domestics, borehole, well, vendor

Women's health: seminars on antenatal and primary healthcare

Primary health care (PHC) is the first level of contact for individuals, the family and the community with the national health system and “address the main health problem in the community, providing health promotion, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services accordingly.” This study aimed to determine the factors affecting utilization of healthcare services in the rural area of Bauchi State, fifteen years retrospective study on pregnancy-induced diabetes progresses to types-2-diabetes mellitus (DM) in Gombe South senatorial district of Gombe State and the impact of Nigeria State health investment project (Nship) on quality maternal and child health services among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) and children under 5 years in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study was a sequential mixed methods approach including: (a) descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based research design (b) retrospective review ‘questionnaire survey’ on pre-post field interventions survey and (c) In-depth interview of the respondents. Factors that affect utilization of PHC includes; inexpensive cost and easy access to health facility 26.7%), treatment satisfaction 18.8% and nearness to place of residence 26.7%. The 1.1% of the women had gestational DM (GDM). Nship sharply increased the level of delivery of pregnant women. Improved living conditions increased utilization of health facilities. DM progressing to types 2 DM was not a public health problem in Gombe South senatorial district. Nship positively impacted the quality of maternal and child’s health in Bauchi State from 2016 to 2020

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and Conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events