Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Is the Stay-Put Tactic a Misjudgement or Magnificent Strategy?

Historically, fire incidents in high-rise buildings reveal that Fire and Rescue Services frequently rely on the stay-put tactic (i.e., occupants of high-rise buildings should remain in their apartments) during an inferno. Recent fire occurrences in high-rise buildings reveal that there are two opposing viewpoints on the stay-put tactic. First, the understanding that the stay-put tactic is a beneficial practice used to protect, control, and facilitate smooth evacuation of occupants during fire incidents. Second, the argument that the stay-put tactic is a misjudgement and futile strategy that leads to fatalities, particularly in high-rise buildings. The aim of this study was to provide awareness and understanding of fire and rescue services use of the stay-put tactic in high-rise buildings. We attempted to answer the questions: is the stay-put tactic a misjudgement or magnificent strategy? The study adopted phenomenological research strategies with various focus groups consisting of seasoned firefighters and survivors with first-hand accounts of stay-put instructions in high-rise buildings. The study also scrutinised three case studies of fire incidents in high-rise buildings in two countries. The study revealed that the stay-put tactic is obsolete; with the potential to cause catastrophic misjudgement, mostly during conflagrations in high-rise buildings. There is a need to advance research on the use of artificial intelligence communication systems and infrared image detectors camera to enhance quick and smooth fire evacuation in high-rise buildings

Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distribution: Properties and Application

In this article, we proposed a new distribution known as the Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distribution for modeling lifetime data sets with monotone and non-monotone shapes in their hazard rates. Along with some of the basic properties, we however, studied the maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters of the proposed distribution. The model was subjected to life application with a dataset and compared to other sub-models. The new distribution was found to have a best fit more than the competing sub-models. Keywords: Pranav distribution, Inverse Power Pranav distribution, Exponentiated distributions, Maximum Likelihood estimation, Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distributio

Nonparametric Measure of Linear Trend

This paper proposes and develops a nonparametric statistical procedure for estimating linear trend effect on data using nonparametric regression methods based on ranks, assuming one of the sampled populations is a measurement on a time scale. The populations of interest may be measurements on as low as the ordinal scale. The nonparametric regression-based linear trend estimate is shown to be similar in computation to the Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. Test statistics are developed for testing hypotheses on the linear trend effect. Sample data are used to illustrate the proposed method. Keywords: Nonparametric, Linear, Test Statistic, Measure, Trend, Rati

Nonparametric Approach to Multiple Regression

Many real life problems require the use of multiple regression to characterize and solve. Sometimes however the independent variables come in forms that violate the assumptions of the parametric multiple regression. This paper developed a nonparametric approach which uses ranks of both the dependent and independent variables to achieve the objectives of multiple regression. This approach accommodates data as low as the ordinal scale and robust. A prediction procedure which is by interpolation, is also presented. Keywords: Rank, Robust, Prediction, Interpolation, Rank Correlatio

Phytochemical properties of some solvent fractions of petroleum ether extract of the African mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) leaves and their antimicrobial activity

The leaves of the African Mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) on Kola acuminata in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria were studied. The chloroform (A), ethyl acetate (B) and ethyl acetate residue (C) fractions of crude petroleum ether extract of L. micranthus Linn were subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation. Results reveal the presence of protein in fraction C, whereas flavonoids, steroids and terpenes were present in all the fractions, but in a low quantity. Fractions A and B had high, while fraction C had moderate quantity of tannins. However, high quantity of resins was present in fraction C followed by fraction A. Fraction B showed the highest susceptibility (25) to Bacillus subtilis, and was active against the fungus, Candida albicans, suggesting its higher potency and fungistatic potential. Apart from Klebsiella spp., the other organisms were not susceptible to fraction A, apparently owing to high resins but no protein content. Fraction C was active against the highest number of organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, B. subtilis and Klebsiella spp.). In all, this study suggests that A, B and C fractions of crude petroleum ether leaf extract of L. micranthus Linn is parasitic on K. acuminate, may serve as source for compounds with therapeutic potentials. However, the fractionating solvents used in this study may not be the preferred choice for fractionating the active principles of L. micranthus Linn. Interestingly, the possible fungistatic potential of L. micranthus Linn parasitic on K. acuminata as observed in fraction B may be exploited in the design and development of fungistatic drug.Keywords: Phytochemical, antimicrobial, fungistatic, Loranthus micranthus Linn, Kola acuminata, mistleto

Analysis of accidents caused by human factors in the oil and gas industry using the HFACS-OGI framework

Background: Human factors have been identified as the most common causes of catastrophic accidents in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, this study aims to analyze human causal factors of accidents in the oil and gas industry using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System for the Oil and Gas Industry (HFACS-OGI) framework. Methods: This study involved a quantitative data collection of 184 accident cases in the oil and gas industry that occurred from 2013 to 2017 from the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) database. The causal factors of these accidents were coded using the HFACS-OGI framework. Accident data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ2 test. Results: Study findings reveal that 23% of all accidents was recorded in 2013. 32% of accidents occurred in Asia, while 69% of accidents were recorded in onshore locations. Contractors were involved in 86% of accidents, while 28% of accidents occurred during drilling, workover and well services. Contractor’s work environment was the main human factor in 90% of accident cases. Conclusion: The HFACS-OGI framework proves to be a vital tool for robust accident analysis of human factors in the oil and gas industry

Palynotaxa and Parasitic Loads of Nigerian Currency: Potential Sources of Microbial Transmittance

Currency notes are handled by a large number of people under a variety of personal and environmental conditions. A total of ninety six samples of one hundred naira denomination of Nigerian notes were procured from seven Local Government Areas (LGA) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the palynotaxa and parasitic load prevalent on currency notes. The leachates of currency notes were obtained and subjected to acetolysis and examined microscopically. Twenty six fungal spores type were recorded and were highly dominated by spores of Libertelli spp., Botrytis spp. and Spadicoides spp. Pollen achieved 54 % of the total bio-particles, whereas fungal spores and parasitic worms achieved 35.2 % and 10.60 %, respectively. The presence and relative abundance of these palynotaxa and parasites in currency notes affirms their propensity to spread vectors of diseases

Perceptions of a self-management intervention for adolescents with sickle cell disease

Objective: Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk for complications from their disease during their adolescent and young adult (AYA) years. The risk of morbidity in AYAs with SCD can be decreased with improved self-management. Existing self-management interventions typically focus on one aspect of self-management (e.g., adherence) and do not address factors that activate patients (knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy, and social support) to self-manage. Sickle Cell Thrive (SCThrive) is a mixed in-person/online, technology-enhanced (use of a mobile app), group self-management intervention that targets patient activation. To determine the most clinically significant intervention components, a qualitative study was conducted. Method: Participants were 19 AYAs (Mage = 17.05) with SCD who participated in individual semistructured phone interviews after completing SCThrive. Interview content was coded using a grounded-theory approach to generate themes related to SCThrive’s feasibility, acceptability, and motivation for and impact on self-management. Results: SCThrive was reported to be highly feasible due to the mixed in-person/online format and acceptable because they learned skills to manage SCD in a group of AYAs with SCD. Action planning and pain/mood tracking appeared to be key factors in motivating AYAs for self-management. Participants reported continuing to use self-management skills post-SCThrive (self-efficacy) including applying them to other domains of their lives (e.g., educational/vocational). Conclusions: Study results provide data that can be leveraged to enhance the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of SCThrive and other self-management interventions. Findings can also inform clinical and mobile health interventions to increase self-management in this population

The Relationship between Selected Anthropometric Indices and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Apparently Healthy Young Adults in a Nigerian Community

Background and Aim: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a useful tool for establishment of baseline fitness status and monitoring of physical activity level. Therefore, it may by extension serve as health risk index. However, studies that have determined the correlation between anthropometric indices and CRF in apparently healthy young adults is difficult to find in other to preempt preventive actions before pathology develops. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive correlational research design, 325 participants (160 males, 165 females) with mean age of 21.87±2.41 years were sampled. Tape measure, stop watch, metronome, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, height meter, bathroom weighing scale, modified Borg’s exertion scale and step benches were used to obtain the blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, rate of perceived exertion, height, weight, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using the mean heart rate responses of the participants. The data was summarized using frequency count, percentages, range, mean, standard deviation, Independent t-test and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation at alpha level of 0.05. Results: CRF significantly correlated with post-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.004), post-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.010) and resting heart rate (p= <0.0001) but not with BMI (p= 0.133), waist circumference (p= 0.098), pre-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.155), pre-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.121), resting respiratory rate (p= 0.631), and respiratory rate recovery (p= 0.478). Conclusion: CRF can be used as an index to quantify in apparently healthy participants, level of cardiovascular and respiratory related disease risks. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of physical activity in order to improve one’s cardiorespiratory fitness and minimize the risk of cardiorespiratory associated diseases