Recent publications
Dimensions of the pelvic and skull bones are known to be sexually dimorphic in various population groups. The recovery of these bones is potentially beneficial in estimating the sex in forensic cases. Since both bones are not always available for forensic analysis, standards for sex estimation must be established for other bones of the postcranial skeleton. Previous studies have reported that postcranial skeletal elements (e.g. femur) perform like the pelvis and better than the cranium in sex estimation. Thus, this study explored the potential of CT-derived femoral measurements in sex estimation in a South African population. The sample consisted of 280 contemporary Black South Africans (50% sex ratio) whose scan reports are stored in the Radiology Department of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Xiris and IntelliSpace software was used to reconstruct the images into 3D formats from which measurements were taken. Previously derived sex estimation equations of the femur were tested using data from the current study and these equations presented low average classification accuracies. Using discriminant function and logistic regression analyses, new sex estimation equations were formulated, and these new equations yielded average sex estimation classification accuracies of between 82.5 and 91.4% (by multivariable logistic regression) and 79.3–84.3% (by multivariable discriminant function). The results indicate that population-specific femoral measurements obtained by CT are more reliable than those obtained by direct osteometry and that the femur has a high sexual dimorphism with relevant forensic applications.
The Ebira people view women as the weaker sex. Women are barred from touching and playing certain musical instruments. This study investigates the Ebira people and their musicality. It assesses the basis for such restrictions in the light of the possible benefits to the community if they were removed. In this study, we relied on data gathered through oral interviews, personal observation, and a review of relevant literature. The findings reveal that out of the twelve musical instruments in Ebiraland, women perform only on one which makes up 8% of the total ensembles in the area. It was also observed that of the seven musical ensembles in Ebiraland, women play instruments in two, that is, 29%. This disparity can be attributed to spiritual and masquerading activities. If women, who are more numerous, are discouraged from participating in Ebira art forms, those forms will dwindle. It is recommended that gender politics should be avoided for the sake of cultural advancement.
Background
Nigeria is one of the countries in the Sahel region where cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) is a public health concern. Over the years, a concerning number of meningitis cases have been reported in Nigeria’s northern region.
Aim
To investigate gender, age and month dynamics of CSM outbreaks from the northern region of Nigeria to improve the surveillance of the disease.
Materials and Methods
Records of 390 symptomatic patients were collected from the Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria for three years (2020–2023). The data were transformed into categorical data with three explanatory variables (month, age and sex). To determine the significance of these factors on meningitis outbreaks, we fitted logistic regression to model the data.
Results
Men were more susceptible to the disease than women, and the majority of meningitis cases were reported during the Harmattan season (October, November and December). The majority of patients were under 24 years old, most of which were children. The logistical regression models also showed that while gender and month had significant effects on the disease, age was a less significant variable contributing to meningitis outbreaks.
Conclusion
The northern region of Nigeria had the highest number of meningitis cases during the dry season, especially October, November and December and in the under 24 years’ age group. Men reported a slightly higher incidence of meningitis than women. To strengthen meningitis surveillance and prevent a resurgence of the disease, it is necessary to pay attention to these dynamics.
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with nearly half of the world's population at risk of infection. In 2022 alone, malaria claimed approximately 608,000 lives, with 76% of these fatalities occurring in children under the age of five, underscoring the disease’s disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for 94% of global malaria cases. For over 60 years, the development of a malaria vaccine has been a critical objective for scientists and governments, with substantial efforts directed toward this goal. Recent progress has led to the approval of the first malaria vaccines, RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix®) and the R21/Matrix-M vaccine. Inspired by the promise of these vaccines, the global malaria community has renewed its focus on malaria eradication, 50 years after flawed earlier eradication efforts in the mid-twentieth century. Since the World Health Organization’s endorsement of RTS,S in 2021 and R21 in 2023, several African countries, beginning with Cameroon, have integrated these vaccines into routine immunization programmes. This review examines the role of routine malaria vaccination in Africa as a key strategy toward malaria elimination, explores challenges and solutions for widespread vaccine implementation, and discusses future directions in the ongoing fight to eliminate malaria on the continent.
The study examined how teachers and students of tertiary institutions in Edo State of Nigeria perceived sexual harassment. The design of the study was descriptive (survey) research. The sample of the study consisted of two hundred lecturers and two hundred students of tertiary institutions in Edo state. A questionnaire, entitled “Lecturers’ and Students’ Perceptions of Sexual Harassment Scale” was used to gather data for the study. The results indicated that majority of the respondents agreed that sexual harassment is prevalent in schools and that sexual harassment impacts negatively on the academic performance of victims. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that tertiary institutions should provide the framework where teachers and students can dialogue on issues bothering on students’ and lecturers’ relationships.
Hydroponics is a new branch and aspect of food crop growing that in recent years made its mark in developing country such as Nigeria. Although, its adoption has not been too encouraging. This research work aimed at developing a drip technique system of hydroponics in determination of the agronomic parameters of cucumber by comparing the yield, water and nutrient efficiency, its consumptive use and proximate and mineral composition of cucumber. The experiment was carried out in a complete randomized design with three treatments; organic substrate (coconut coir), inorganic substrate (styrofoam) and soil. These treatments were replicated five times. The vegetative growth (agronomic parameters), yield, water and nutrient, proximate and mineral composition were measured. The result showed the consumptive use as 0.0044 m3 per day and 0.3212 m3 as the water and nutrient use efficiency. The result also showed that organic substrate gave the highest mean plant height of 736.66 mm, highest mean stem diameter of 5.79 mm and highest mean number of leaves of 9.75 while inorganic substrate gave highest mean plant height, mean stem diameter and mean number of leaves as 336.28 mm, 4.95 mm and 7.68 respectively. Also, the highest result of control (soil) gave 301.23 mm, 5.47 mm and 7.06 for the mean plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves respectively. The yield of cucumber as compared with the different growing media showed that there is no significant difference between the growing media (Fcrit> Fcal) unless for the plant height and number of flowers having Fcrit less than Fcal. From these results, it is advisable that drip technique system should be embraced by farmers whose primary aim of farming is for leafy vegetables and non-leafy vegetables as seen in the increase in stem diameter and plant height in the organic substrate.
This study explores the application of deep learning techniques in forecasting labour losses in construction projects. By leveraging the predictive capabilities of ManHour Earned and Estimated ManHour values, this research aims to develop an accurate and reliable model for labour loss forecasting. Utilizing a dataset comprising 105 work items from industry practitioners who employed the Leonard and Moselhi methodology, this study investigates the efficacy of a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) architecture with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) cells. The model's performance is optimized through backpropagation and hyperparameter tuning, focusing on key parameters such as learning rate, batch size, dropout rate, and number of epochs. To ensure the model's generalizability and mitigate overfitting, regularization strategies and performance monitoring are employed. The predictive potential of the model is evaluated through integration into a real-time sequence production job and deployment into an enabled environment. Results demonstrate the model's capacity for accurate labour loss forecasting, enabling proactive measures to enhance productivity and minimize unnecessary claims. Although this study focuses on building projects, its findings have broader implications for process and manufacturing engineering, where productivity losses and associated labour losses are significant concerns. The practical application of this research lies in its potential to assess and counter labour loss claims, disputes, warrants, and demands in construction projects, ultimately contributing to improved project management and reduced financial losses.
The development of Africa’s engineering education is crucial for addressing the continent’s infrastructure and technological challenges. This paper explores the role of Industry-Academia Partnerships (IAPs) in transforming engineering education across Africa. Through a comprehensive survey of universities, industry stakeholders, and students from various African regions, this study examines the current state of IAPs and their impact on skill development, curriculum relevance, and employability. The findings reveal that while IAPs hold immense potential to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, significant challenges such as inadequate funding, poor institutional frameworks, and limited industry engagement persist. The study proposes a sustainable model for strengthening these partnerships, focusing on experiential learning, curriculum development, and collaborative research. The implementation of this model can enhance the quality of engineering graduates, foster innovation, and contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development. Recommendations are made for policies and strategies to overcome the barriers to effective IAPs, ensuring that engineering education aligns with the evolving demands of industry and society.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to revolutionize engineering education and research in Africa, offering opportunities for innovation and sustainable development. This study aims to assess the current utilization of AI in African engineering education and provide recommendations for its enhancement, empowering African engineering students to lead in AI research efforts. Through a meticulously designed questionnaire, the researchers delved into various aspects of AI integration, including understanding and usage, ethical considerations, resource needs, learning methodologies, skills development, industry collaboration, and strategies for maintaining relevance in the AI era. The results indicate that while AI is actively used in Africa, its application often lacks depth. Therefore, there is a critical need to expand the use of AI for more engaging research applications, collaboration, and engineering practices. The insights gained from this research will help shape the future of engineering curriculum design to foster innovation and the global competitiveness of Africa. This pioneering exploration not only sheds light on the present AI landscape in engineering education and research in Africa but also ignites a vision for an AI-driven transformation that could position Africa as a leading contributor in engineering advancements on the global stage.
Background: Lassa fever (LF), a viral hemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa carries a high mortality. Scanty studies indicate that micronutrients may play a role in immunity to Lassa fever. We performed a case-controlled study to evaluate plasma zinc and selenium levels in hospitalized patients with LF.
Methods: A cross-sectional controlled study of adults with confirmed LF and healthy controls presenting to the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was performed between January and April 2023. After informed consent, blood samples were obtained and LF was confirmed using real-time PCR assay. Plasma zinc and selenium levels in plasma were measured using the AA500 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0 comparing Zinc, Selenium, Urea and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels of LF patients and healthy control subjects.
Results: We enrolled 124 subjects: 64 Lassa fever patients and 60 healthy controls. There was no difference in mean age (37.6y vs. 35.2y, p=0.10) and gender (male 53% vs 56%,p=0.82). Mean plasma zinc levels were significantly lower in LF patients (0.97 mg/ml, SD = 0.12) compared to controls (1.85 mg/ml, SD = 0.13; p < 0.0001). A consistent depletion of zinc levels were seen across the moderately severe cases (n=28) and severe cases (36 cases) compared to healthy controls (0.97±0.19 vs 0.96±0.10): p=0001. Plasma selenium levels were also significantly lower in patients with LF (mean: 76.80 ng/mL, SD: 6.66, %CV: 8.67) compared to controls (mean: 93.10 ng/mL, SD:12.46, %CV: 13.38) (p=0.008). Selenium levels in severe LF cases were (73.47±14.68) and in moderately severe cases 80.98±18.60 (p = 0.26).
Conclusions: Significantly low levels of zinc and selenium were observed in patients with Lassa fever compared to healthy controls suggesting a role in susceptibility and pathogenesis. Given that zinc and selenium are essential trace elements for optimal functioning of the immune system they may play a role in improving management outcomes.
Background
This study investigated malaria epidemiology in Edo-North, Nigeria; a region within the equatorial rainforest belt that has lacked prior research on malaria prevalence. This research sought to investigate the prevalence of malaria and identify potential risk factors in Edo-North, Nigeria. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze trends in malaria cases to inform the development of effective malaria control measures.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted in six local government areas of Edo-North, Nigeria, between June and August 2023. Using systematic sampling, study zones, local governments, towns, villages, and households were selected. Data on sociodemographics and environmental risk factors were collected from 605 participants through questionnaires and blood samples. Blood smears were microscopically examined, binary and multivariate logistic regression was used for data analysis. Malaria disease rate trends were also analyzed from health records. Statistical analyses were performed using R software, with p -values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results
The overall malaria prevalence in the study area was 15.54%, with males more likely to be infected than females. Prevalence varied across localities, with Akoko-Edo having the highest rate. Children had the highest prevalence. Rural residents were more likely to have malaria than urban residents. Binary logistic regression identified several risk factors, including age, location, local government area, education, occupation, marital status, housing type, household size, water source, sanitation, surrounding environment, window net use, ceiling type, water storage, and parasite density. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several significant risk factors for malaria in the study population. Children, residents of Owan-East, individuals using pit latrines, and those not sleeping under LLINs were at significantly increased risk. Environmental factors such as proximity to bushes, streams/rivers, and storing water in open containers were also associated with higher malaria prevalence. History of malaria treatment at pharmacies and use of Chloroquine/Quinine medication were linked to recurrent infections. The study found a high average parasite density (5,146 parasites/μL) and low consistent LLIN use despite widespread ownership. Trend analysis from malaria records revealed a decline in malaria prevalence from 2020 to 2023.
Conclusions
The study identified several demographic, environmental and behavioural factors associated with malaria risk in Edo North. Males, children, urban dwellers, those living in mud houses and those in large households, proximity to natural features such as bushes, rivers and streams and low LLIN were more likely to contract malaria. These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions to address these risk factors and reduce the burden of malaria.
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an underutilized crop of high economic importance for alleviating food security. However, morpho-phytochemical variability, which exists among different accessions of V. subterranea of different origins, is sketchy in the literature. Identifying these variations is relevant for evolving strategies necessary for further breeding program to improve its utilization. Therefore, variations in agrobotanical and bioactive compounds among Bambara groundnut accessions were evaluated. Two field trials were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 planting seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Thirty Bambara groundnut accessions were assessed for variations in number of primary branches (NPBs), number of leaves (NLs), plant height (PH), plant canopy width (PCW), plant canopy length (PCL), and biomass. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design (n = 3). Some accessions in distinct clusters were selected for phytochemical and proximate components assessment using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p<0.05. The highest NPB was 18.33 recorded in TVSu-315, whereas TVSu-1578 had the highest NL (40.00). TVSu-1874 was taller (13.66 cm), with wider PCW of 18.51 cm and PCL of 18.95 cm. The 30 accessions were clustered into five distinct groups. The concentration of alkaloid (20.6 mg/100 g) in TVSu-1432 was significantly higher than the concentration in other accessions. In addition, TVSu-253 had the highest concentration (0.3 mg/100 g) of tannin, which was significantly higher than that of the other accessions. Flavonoid (0.03 mg/100 g) and saponin (2.6 mg/100 g) were highest in TVSu-2032. TVSu-1578 had higher ash content (14.0%) than other accessions, whereas TVSu-2032 had the highest crude fiber of 4.9%. TVSu-1432 had the highest crude protein (38.2%), ether extract (6.0%), and dry matter (91.1%) relative to other accessions. High coefficients of variation (CV) were recorded in petiole length and dry matter components. Petiole length and dry matter discriminated the 30 Bambara groundnut accessions. TVSu-1432 was superior with respect to proximate composition, whereas TVSu-2032 had superior phytochemical constituents.
From a gender view point, this study examines the relationship between the human capital of technical and vocational education students and the fundamental principles of long-term economic growth in Nigeria. The study used a correlational survey research approach. The study was directed by four research questions, and four null hypotheses were developed. The population for the study consisted of all 400 level undergraduate students (N = 286) of technical and vocational education in Federal and State-owned Universities in South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The population was of a manageable size, thus there was no sampling. Data was gathered via a questionnaire. Three research experts- two from Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, and one from the Measurement and Evaluation University of Benin in Benin City, Edo State validated the instrument. The instrument's dependability was assessed using Cronbach alpha reliability, and a reliability coefficient of 0.85 was found. In order to address these inquiries, bivariate correlation was utilized. Multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance were used to examine the hypotheses. The results showed that, fundamental values and both general and particular human capital were positively correlated long-term growth. Students in technical and vocational education, whether male and female, encounter nearly the same kinds of human capital overall. Keywords: Technical and vocational education, Differential gender effect, Human capital, Long-term economic growth.
Background
Intensive care units (ICUs) play a vital role in managing critically ill patients, yet data on admission patterns and outcomes in rural healthcare settings, particularly in Nigeria, remain limited. Understanding these patterns is essential for improving patient care, especially in resource-limited, rural settings. This study aimed to investigate the admission and outcome patterns of patients admitted to the ICU at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), located in a rural part of Edo State, Nigeria.
Method
This was a retrospective study conducted at ISTH. Data on biodata, primary admission diagnosis, duration of admission, and patient outcomes were collected from the ICU register for all patients admitted to the ICU over a five-year period, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, and analyzed.
Results
During the five-year study period, there were 581 ICU admissions, of which 575 (99%) were included in the study after excluding six (1%) due to incomplete data. Among the patients, 297 (51.7%) were female. The young and middle-aged group (20-59 years) accounted for 60% (365) of admissions. Surgical cases comprised the majority of admissions at 57.9% (333), followed by medical cases at 25.9% (149) and obstetric/gynecologic cases at 16.2% (93). The most common sources of admission were general surgery (211, 36.7%), obstetrics (75, 13%), and neurosurgery (43, 7.5%), with the most frequent diagnoses being generalized peritonitis secondary to perforated viscus (102, 17.7%), bowel obstruction (36, 6.3%), preeclampsia/eclampsia (28,4.9%), traumatic brain injury (TBI) (27, 4.7%), and stroke (26, 4.5%). The overall mortality rate was 49.2% and was significantly associated with age, duration of admission, type of case, and subspecialty (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
The study highlights admission and outcome patterns that reflect the challenges faced in rural ICU settings. The high mortality rate highlights the need for improved critical care resources and targeted interventions to improve outcomes of critically ill patients in similar resource-limited settings.
Background
Cancer pain management is critical, especially at advanced stages. This is particularly important in Africa as most cancers are typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Given the central role of adequate pain management in advanced cancer care, this scoping review aims to examine the utilisation of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in cancer pain management within African healthcare settings.
Methods and analysis
This scoping review will apply the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A systematic search will be conducted in PubMed, African Journals Online and Google Scholar, focusing on studies conducted in Africa involving PCA and cancer pain. A two-step screening process will be used, title/abstract screening and full-text screening, with inclusion criteria emphasising relevance to cancer pain, PCA usage and African context. A thematic analysis approach will categorise data into themes related to PCA utilisation, effectiveness, barriers and outcomes. Tables and figures will be used for presentation.
Ethics and dissemination
This review will involve a secondary analysis of already published literature; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The findings of our scoping review will be published in an open-access, peer-reviewed journal on completion.
Against the backdrop that AI has crept into the global broadcast ecosphere and has held it in one fell swoop, the technological gap that has long been the bane of African countries in general, and Nigeria in particular has been further widened, raising the question regarding how Nigerian broadcast professionals can adopt AI tools with a view to raising the bar of Nigerian broadcasting and making it meet global best practices. This article examines the transformations AI has brought to global broadcasting and underpinned by the technology appropriation paradigm which I propose in view of the peculiarities of the Nigerian sociocultural space, it argues that Nigerian broadcast professionals should appropriate AI tools whilst taking cognizance of such factors as cost, religion, ethnicity, culture and traditions of their audiences. The article also explores the question of Nigerian broadcasting ethics which AI has undoubtedly brought to the fore and highlights the various implications AI-enabled transformations have for Nigerian broadcast professionals. Though Nigerian broadcast professionals are already late to the AI party, the clarion call is made that they should immediately get on board and in the light of this, the critical role of the Nigerian Government regarding the provision of stable power supply and subsidization of the prices of AI tools and ICT gadgets as well as financial commitment from the owners of broadcast stations are reiterated.
Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used for almost a century in well-equipped medical centers to facilitate the diagnosis of epilepsy and other brain disorders. Lassa fever (LF) and other emerging viral infections (EVI) are known to cause neurological complications, including meningitis, seizures, and encephalopathy, though to date it remains unclear whether these are secondary to metabolic disturbances caused by the disease or by direct involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). To better characterize how Lassa virus (LASV) affects the CNS, we established an EEG diagnostic unit in the LF isolation ward at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, Nigeria. Here, we report on the specific difficulties to successful implementation of EEG in this highly challenging setting. Technical artefacts due to electrical interferences and interrupted power supply, artefacts deriving from a partly improvised EEG setup within a high consequence pathogen isolation ward, and environmental factors, such as heat in the endemic West African setting are among the main difficulties encountered when setting up this diagnostic facility. It takes experienced neurophysiologists to distinguish such artefacts from actual EEG abnormalities as many of them are not commonly encountered to this extent in well-equipped EEG laboratories and can easily be confused with pathologies. The EEG recording process is further complicated by biosafety considerations and the necessity of wearing extensive personal protective equipment. Nevertheless, with the help of experienced neurophysiologists, it is possible to correctly set up the facility and interpret recordings. Taking the above into consideration, EEG is valuable in identifying CNS involvement in emerging infections, particularly regarding assessment of encephalitis, differential diagnosis of impaired consciousness and treatment adjustment in patients with symptomatic seizures. Although highly challenging under these circumstances, EEG can be an important, noninvasive diagnostic tool for neurological complications in EVI where other more advanced imaging modalities are not available.
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