Bayero University, Kano

Water scarcity is a global concern that needs addressing through alternative sources. One of the approaches is the use of reclaimed water for irrigation. However, the presence of halogenated compounds and heavy metals in reclaimed water poses significant food safety threats. Therefore, a comprehensive characterization of these contaminants using a reliable method is essential. This study presents an innovative analytical technique that combines electrospray ionization (ESI) with microwave plasma ionization mass spectrometry (MPIMS), enabling the simultaneous detection of organic compounds and heavy metals. The plasma ionization process in metals exhibits novel features, unlike traditional methods, making it suitable for organic and metallic detection in complex matrices. This technique achieved a recovery rate of 78.5–123% and 79.93–119.50% for halogenated compounds and heavy metals, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 1.5 ng mL⁻¹ to 3.5 ng mL⁻¹ and 4.5 ng mL⁻¹ to 12.75 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Analysis of reclaimed water from three irrigation systems revealed concentrations of halogenated compounds and heavy metals below allowable levels set by national agencies, indicating manageable pollution risks. H-compounds, such as diuron and linuron, were prevalent in all samples, while zinc and lead showed higher levels in flood and sub-irrigation systems. Compared to traditional methods, ESI-MPIMS performs well and demonstrates high efficiency, good quantification, and high sensitivity in the analysis of real samples. This study shows that ESI-MPIMS is promising for on-site analysis of organic compounds and heavy metals in complex matrices and is suitable for water quality control and environmental quality assessment for pollutant screening.

Two new Dai-Yuan (DY) iterative schemes are presented in this article for solving constrained system of nonlinear monotone equations. Using an extension of the classical scheme by Dai and Yuan [Soc. Ind. Appl. Math., 10(1)(1999) 177-182], two modified DY search directions are obtained, which possess the vital property for analyzing global convergence. By conducting eigenvalue analysis, appropriate values were obtained for the nonnegative parameter C of the two schemes. The self-restarting structure of the first scheme, as well as the choices of the parameter C in both methods, ensure fast convergence to the solution of the problems considered. Algorithms of both schemes are implemented by employing monotone line search procedure by Zhang and Zhou [J. Comput. Appl. Math. 196(2006) 478-484] and the projection technique. Using fundamental assumptions, global convergence of both schemes is established and results of numerical experiments with four recent methods in the literature show that the new methods are encouraging.

Traditional methods for proportioning of high-performance concrete (HPC) have certain shortcomings, such as high costs, usage constraints, and nonlinear relationships. Implementing a strategy to optimize the mixtures of HPC can minimize design expenses, time spent, and material wastage in the construction sector. Due to HPC's exceptional qualities, such as high strength (HS), fluidity and resilience, it has been broadly used in construction projects. In this study, we employed Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Nonlinear AutoRegressive with exogenous inputs (NARX neural network), and Random Forest (RF) models to estimate the Compressive Strength (CS) of HPC in the first scenario. In contrast, the second scenario involved the development of an ensemble model using the Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) to detect inferior performance of standalone model combinations. The output variable was the 28 Days CS in MPa, while the input variables included slump (S), water-binder ratio (W/B) %, water content (W) kg/m ³ , fine aggregate ratio (S/a) %, silica fume (SF)%, and superplasticizer (SP) kg/m ³ . An RF model was developed by using R Studio; GRNN and NARX-NN models were developed by using the MATLAB 2019a toolkit; and the pre- and post-processing of data was carried out by using E-Views 12.0. The results indicate that in the first scenario, the Combination M1 of the RF model outperformed other models, with greater prediction accuracy, yielding a PCC of 0.854 and MAPE of 4.349 during the calibration phase. In the second scenario, the ensemble of RF models surpassed all other models, achieving a PCC of 0.961 and MAPE of 0.952 during the calibration phase. Overall, the proposed models demonstrate significant value in predicting the CS of HPC.

A Clinical Data Repository (CDR) is a dynamic database capable of real-time updates with patients' data, organized to facilitate rapid and easy retrieval. CDRs offer numerous benefits, ranging from preserving patients' medical records for follow-up care and prescriptions to enabling the development of intelligent models that can predict, and potentially mitigate serious health conditions. While several research works have attempted to provide state-of-the-art reviews on CDR design and implementation, reviews from 2013 to 2023 cover CDR regulations, guidelines, standards, and challenges in CDR implementation without providing a holistic overview of CDRs. Additionally, these reviews need to adequately address critical aspects of CDR; development and utilization, CDR architecture and metadata, CDR management tools, CDR security, use cases, and artificial intelligence (AI) in CDR design and implementation. The collective knowledge gaps in these works underscore the imperative for a comprehensive overview of the diverse spectrum of CDR as presented in the current study. Existing reviews conducted over the past decade, from 2013 to 2023 have yet to comprehensively cover the critical aspects of CDR development, which are essential for uncovering trends and potential future research directions in Africa and beyond. These aspects include architecture and metadata, security and privacy concerns, tools employed, and more. To bridge this gap, in particular, this study conducts a comprehensive systematic review of CDR, considering critical facets such as architecture and metadata, security and privacy issues, regulations guiding development, practical use cases, tools employed, the role of AI and machine learning (ML) in CDR development, existing CDRs, and challenges faced during CDR development and deployment in Africa and beyond. Specifically, the study extracts valuable discussions and analyses of the different aspects of CDR. Key findings revealed that most architectural models for CDR are still in the theoretical phase, with low awareness and adoption of CDR in healthcare environments, susceptibility to several security threats, and the need to integrate federated learning in CDR systems. Overall, this paper would serve as a valuable reference for designing and implementing cutting-edge clinical data repositories in Africa and beyond.

Background The treatment of caries in dentine poses the challenge of balancing adequate caries removal to prevent residual caries and excessive sound dentine removal. No diagnostic tool is available to define the caries removal limit clinically. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of visual-tactile, caries detector dye (CDD), and laser fluorescence (LF) device methods for diagnosing residual caries after cavity preparation. Method The study was conducted as a three-arm, double-blinded, parallel-group randomized trial at the Restorative Dentistryclinics of a teaching hospital in northeastern Nigeria. Individualized carious lesions in dentine were randomly allocated to three groups of residual caries diagnosis methods, A (visual-tactile), B (CDD), and C (LF). All carious lesions had caries excavation and cavity preparation using the visual-tactile method. Main outcome measures were based on the assessment of residual caries of prepared cavities in groups B and C with CDD and LF (DIAGNOdent Pen) respectively, and bacterial culture growth of dentine samples collected from all (A, B, and C) the preparedcavities. Design Three-arm, double-blinded, parallel group randomized trial. A centralized randomization, into three groups A, B, and C, used opaque envelopes containing names of diagnostic methods allocated to teeth in the trail. Setting Restorative Dentistry clinics of a teaching hospital in northeastern Nigeria. Participants Ninety patients with dental caries in dentine. All 90 patients met the requirements for the study. Intervention Carious lesions were excavated, and cavity preparation was performed via the visual-tactile method. Prepared cavities in groups B and C were assessed for residual caries with CDD and LF (DIAGNOdent Pen), respectively, by a blinded independent investigator. Dentine samples were obtained from all the prepared cavities (A, B, and C) and subjected to bacterial culture. Teeth were restored and follow-up was not required. Main outcome measures The presence or absence of residual caries staining by CDD and fluorescence by DIAGNOdent in prepared cavities of groups B and C, respectively; the presence or absence of bacterial culture growth for all three groups. Results Ninety participants (mean age 31.6 ± 7.480), each with one tooth with a deep carious lesion were randomized. The visual-tactile method had a specificity of 100%, CDD had 100% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity, and DIAGNOdent had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when measured against bacterial cultures. The positive predictive value for CDD (50%) was half that for DIAGNOdent (100%). The negative predictive value was the lowest (90%) for the visual-tactile method. The accuracy was highest (100%) for DIAGNOdent. There was perfect agreement between the DIAGNOdent and bacteriological tests (kappa = 1.00), whereas the CDD had an above-random level of agreement (kappa = 0.63). Conclusions All three residual caries evaluation methods were efficient, independently, in detecting residual caries in prepared cavities. DIAGNOdent was the most specific of the tested modalities and had the highest agreement with the bacteriological confirmatory test. Trial registration PanAfrican Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202309545839091), registered on 1st September 2023.

Introduction Despite advances in physiotherapy care for Low Back Pain (LBP) worldwide, studies suggest that physiotherapists in Nigeria do not adhere to international guidelines, and it is not known whether recent treatment approaches developed for LBP are recognized or applied by physiotherapists in Nigeria. Objectives To evaluate the current assessment and treatment practices used by physiotherapists in Nigeria for people with recent onset, recurrent and chronic LBP. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional electronic national survey. Participants Two hundred and sixty‐seven registered physiotherapists who treat LBP across all 36 states of Nigeria completed the survey anonymously via REDCap. Results Two hundred and sixty‐seven physiotherapists (mean age = 37.6 years, SD = 9.1; 53.6% female) completed the survey in full. Although most physiotherapists (> 95%) regularly applied traditional assessment methods (e.g., history of presenting complaint, observation for spinal deformity, palpation), only approximately 30% screened for red flag pathology. Very few physiotherapists assessed patients with LBP for psychological distress (< 8%) or risk stratification/prognostic factors (< 4%). For treatment, electrophysical agents and muscle techniques (e.g., massage) predominated (> 95%), while few physiotherapists used cognitive‐behavioural strategies (< 2%), individualised multimodal treatment programs (e.g., cognitive functional therapy, StarT Back or STOPS, < 1.5%), validated outcome measures (< 15%), clinical practice guidelines (< 10%) or a clinical reasoning strategy/framework (< 20%). Most Nigerian physiotherapists (> 99%) expressed interest in learning evidence‐based LBP assessment and treatment methods from international experts. Conclusion There is very limited application of contemporary assessment and treatment practices for LBP by Nigerian physiotherapists; however, they are very interested in learning these methods from international experts.

Objectives: In this study, we conducted a retrospective survey of gastroenteritis diagnosed in carcasses, from 2013 to 2023, at the Necropsy Unit of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the record book, entered into Microsoft Excel sheet, analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, v.27). Results: Results revealed that gastroenteritis was diagnosed in 20.5% of the 1052 carcasses. Yearly distribution analysis revealed fluctuations in prevalence, with peaks in 2017 (16.7%), 2018 (14.4%), and 2019 (13.0%). Species distribution analysis indicated higher proportions in canines (46.3%), caprines (31.5%), and ovines (8.3%). Sexbased analysis revealed varied proportions between males and females across different species, with no significant (p>0.05) association found between sex and species. Age distribution analysis revealed higher proportions in younger animals (<1 year) and older animals (>3 years) within specific species, and there was significant (p<0.05) association between age and species. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the burden of gastroenteritis in animals, thus, highlighting its temporal variations, species-, sex-, and age-specific differences. This study, therefore, contributes to the advancement of veterinary pathology, and the promotion of animal health and welfare, by improving our understanding of gastroenteritis epidemiology, and informing evidence-based veterinary practices. There is need for veterinary pathologists to develop and implement species-specific diagnostic protocols, and targeted disease management strategies to effectively mitigate the prevalence and impact of gastroenteritis in animal populations.

Background The increasing cases of chronic kidney disease is a global public health concern. The potential link between consumption of food contaminated with heavy metals and development of end stage renal disease is becoming an emerging challenge. This study aimed to identify heavy metal contaminants in food and environmental risk factors for development of chronic kidney disease in Nigeria. Methods Cross-sectional survey in 4 high burden local government areas of Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria. Results The median age of the respondents was 45 years (interquartile range = 30–80) years. All the households had normal values of cadmium in the food analyzed. The majority of households (97.8%) had elevated mercury levels in analyzed food. Approximately 4.2% of households had increased lead levels. Elevated mercury levels were significantly higher in households that did not cultivate the food they consumed (median = 2.503 mg/kg, P = .05), those that did not use fertilizer on their farms (median = 2.522 mg/kg, P = .02), and those whose farms were located outside their communities (median = 2.733 mg/kg, P = .020). Households that did not use fertilizer on the farm (median = 0.027 mg/kg, P = .007), and those that primarily consumed rice (median = 0.023 mg/kg, P = .005) had significantly higher lead concentrations. Conclusions We identified high levels of mercury in food samples of the majority of the households studied. Elevated levels of mercury were associated with food cultivation practices and fertilizer use. We recommend future studies that will identify points of food contamination and inform the development of appropriate environmental remediation measures.

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the patterns of tooth extractions in a paediatric population attending a dental clinic in Kano, Northern Nigeria, and to identify the prevalent reasons and associated factors contributing to the need for extractions. Furthermore, it sought to explore the implications of the findings for policy and practice in the region. Methods A retrospective analysis of patient records from the paediatric dental clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital was conducted for patients treated between January 2021 and December 2023. Data were collected on patient demographics, FDI tooth number and tooth type extracted (primary/permanent), and reason for extraction. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were performed using SPSS version 20. Results A total of 1556 teeth were extracted from 1140 children aged 1 to 16 years (male-to-female ratio 1.1:1). Single tooth extraction accounted for 71.4% of cases, while 28.6% involved multiple tooth extractions. Dental caries was the most prevalent reason for extraction (62.7%), followed by orthodontic reasons (29.6%) and traumatic dental injuries (7.7%). Maxillary anterior teeth were commonly extracted in children aged 1–5 years, while mandibular posterior teeth were predominantly extracted in older age groups (p < 0.05). Permanent maxillary central incisors and mandibular first molars, as well as deciduous maxillary second molars and mandibular first molars, were the most frequently extracted teeth. Conclusion Dental caries, orthodontic reasons, and traumatic dental injuries are significant contributors to tooth extractions in this population. Age-specific patterns and tooth-related factors influenced the reasons for extractions, highlighting the need for targeted preventive measures and early interventions tailored to different age groups. The findings underscore the urgency of implementing comprehensive preventive dental programmes, improving access to affordable dental care, and developing evidence-based policies to address the oral health challenges faced by children in Kano state, Northern Nigeria.

This study presents a pioneering deterministic mathematical model to explore the complex dynamics of infectious diseases, focusing on the synergy between vaccination efficacy and awareness programs in disease control. Within an SVIQR framework encompassing susceptible, vaccinated, infected, quarantined, and removed compartments. The model employs nonlinear differential equations to analyze disease-free and endemic equilibrium. Key analyses include calculating the basic reproduction number ($R_{0}$) and stability assessments using the Gershgorin Circle Theorem. Numerical simulations demonstrate the profound impact of vaccination and awareness programs, highlighting their crucial role in reducing disease transmission. The study underscores the societal implications, showing how effective vaccination strategies and enhanced awareness can significantly lower infection rates, thereby informing public health policies and fostering communities.

Background Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant oral health issue affecting children under six years old. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of ECC in Nigeria through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases for studies on ECC prevalence in Nigeria. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to assess study quality. A random-effects model was employed to calculate pooled prevalence estimates and mean dmft scores. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 7,362 participants. The pooled ECC prevalence in Nigeria was 17% (95% CI 11–24%), with significant heterogeneity (I² = 97%). Subgroup analyses revealed variations across geopolitical zones and study settings. The pooled mean dmft score was 0.44 (95% CI 0.24–0.74). Age group and gender showed minimal impact on ECC prevalence. Conclusion With a 17% prevalence rate, ECC remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, standardized national surveys, and further research into region-specific risk factors to address ECC effectively.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and an important contributory factor to chronic lung disease. TB-associated permanent lung damage manifests with varying levels of respiratory disability long after TB has been successfully treated, which is a condition known as post-TB lung disease (PTLD). This study assessed whether lung function impairment associated with PTLD occurs early during TB treatment. Using a cross-sectional design, we enrolled newly diagnosed adult TB patients aged ≥18 years who had received anti-TB medication for ≥2 months from a large treatment center in northern Nigeria. We used spirometry and the Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference equations for African Americans to assess and characterize lung function for enrolled participants ( N = 94). The median age (range) of participants was 34 (18–72) years. Approximately 5.3% ( n = 5) of participants exhibited features of abnormal lung function, 4.2% ( n = 4) showed features of obstructive lung abnormality, and 1.1% ( n = 1) showed restrictive lung abnormality. Compared with historical patients recruited ≥6 months after TB treatment in the same center, our participants had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity values. Our findings suggest an opportunity for early intervention for primary and secondary prevention of PTLD to reduce the impact of severe respiratory impairment.

Welding aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) alloys are particularly challenging because of their distinct physical, metallurgical, and chemical characteristics. Minimizing strength loss is crucial for industries during dissimilar welding. The effect of rotational and welding speeds on the weld properties of dissimilar friction stir welding (FSW) joints of AA5083 and AZ91 was studied. The study examined the behavior of material flow and thermal cycles throughout the process. The sound weld was achieved at a rotational speed of 710 rpm and a welding speed of 50 mm/min with a maximum tensile strength of 93.10 ± 5.03 MPa. The intermixing between the Mg and Al was changed from the shoulder-affected zone (SAZ) to the bottom-affected zone (BAZ). The intermixing was observed through intercalated strips and different material patterns. The thickness of the intermetallic compound (IMCs) layer also differed between SAZ and BAZ due to varying thermomechanical conditions. In addition, the optimal parameters resulted in stable forces throughout the process and altered the thermal cycles, preventing the formation of IMC layers and defects. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Al3Mg2 (β) was the dominant phase detected on the interface of the composite structure of the NZ. The reason for the higher microhardness in the nugget zone (NZ) is mainly attributed to the presence of IMCs. The maximum hardness was observed in the BAZ, i.e., 155.6 HV. Fractography analysis was also conducted to examine the fracture mode.

Metal oxides have demonstrated significant potential in water purification applications with the recent advancements in photocatalytic technologies. In this study, a ZnO/CuO nanocomposite was synthesized via a facile chemical co-precipitation method by successfully integrating zinc oxide and copper oxide semiconductors. The structural, compositional, and optical properties of pristine ZnO and the ZnO/CuO composite were comprehensively characterized. Under Xe light irradiation, the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite has exhibited superior photocatalytic performance, achieving substantial degradation of norfloxacin (NOR) and methyl orange (MO) within 120 min under optimized conditions. The degradation rates for 10 ppm concentrations of NOR and MO were calculated as k = 1.085 × 10⁻² min⁻¹ (99% degradation) and k = 3.849 × 10⁻² min⁻¹ (70% degradation), respectively. Kinetic analyses revealed that the degradation has followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and observed to be consistent with the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Scavenger experiments have identified h⁺, O2•−, and •OH radicals as key species driving the photocatalytic degradation of MO, while O2•− primarily governed NOR degradation. In addition, the ZnO/CuO composite has maintained high photocatalytic efficiency after ten reuse cycles. These findings suggest that the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite is a promising candidate for the photocatalytic treatment of water contaminated with NOR and MO pollutants.

Aquaculture operations produce large amounts of wastewater contaminated with organic matter, nitrogenous compounds, and other emerging contaminants; when discharged into natural water bodies, it could result in ecological problems and severely threaten aquatic habitats and human health. However, using aquaculture wastewater in biorefinery systems is becoming increasingly crucial as advancements in valuable bioproduct production continue to improve economic feasibility. Research on utilising microalgae as an alternative to producing biomass and removing nutrients from aquaculture wastewater has been extensively studied over the past decades. Microalgae have the potential to use carbon dioxide (CO2) effectively and significantly reduce carbon footprint, and the harvested biomass can also be used as aquafeed. Furthermore, aquaculture wastewater enriched with phosphorus (P) is a potential resource for P recovery for the production of biofertiliser. This will reduce the P supply shortage and eliminate the environmental consequences of eutrophication. In this context, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in a generation, as well as the characteristics and environmental impact of aquaculture wastewater reported by the most recent research. Furthermore, the review synthesized recent developments in algal biomass cultivation using aquaculture wastewater and its utilisation as biorefinery feedstocks for producing value-added products, such as aquafeeds, bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, and bioenergy. This integrated process provides a sustainable method for recovering biomass and water, fully supporting the framework of a circular economy in aquaculture wastewater treatment via resource recovery.

Background Immunization is a very cost-effective and readily available intervention capable of preventing Vaccines Preventable Diseases (VPDs). This study aimed to identify and compare the prevalence and factors associated with zero-dose immunization status among children of nomadic and non-nomadic Fulani in Yobe State, North-East Nigeria. Methodology A comparative cross-sectional design was used to study 348 nomadic, and 345 non-nomadic under-five children, selected using a multi-staged sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire, observation of child immunization card, and recall by the caregivers, and were analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0 with a statistical significance set at P ≤5%. Results The maximum age of the nomadic caregivers was 60 and the minimum was 17 years with a mean ±SD of 28.2±7.7 years. The maximum age of the non-nomadic caregivers was 78 and the minimum was 17 years with a mean ±SD of 33.0±10.0 years. The prevalence of zero dose children among nomadic and non-nomadic Fulani were (70.1%, 242), (61.8%, 63) respectively. The zero-dose children were significantly higher among nomads (87.2%, p<0.001) and non-nomad (54.4%, p<0.001) with no available child immunization card.The children of vaccines hesitant caregivers of nomads and non-nomads were 10 or more times more likely to be zero dose than non-hesitant caregivers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =477, 95% CI = [177–13031]), and (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =9.7, 95% CI = [2.1–44.3]) respectively. Conclusion The burden of zero-dose was alarmingly high among nomads compared to non-nomad Fulani despite widespread immunization outreach services in the study area. The government and relevant stakeholders should intensify Context-specific health promotion activities and outreach services targeting these underserved populations.