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Abstract HIV is one of the most threatening health conditions with a highly increasing rate, affecting millions of people globally, and from its time of discovery until now, its potential cure cannot be explicitly defined. This challenge of having no/low effective drugs for the subjected virus has called for serious attention in the scientific world of virus disease therapeutics. Most of these drugs yields low effectiveness due to poor delivery; hence, there is a need for novel engineering methods for efficient delivery. In this study, two nanomaterilas (graphene; GP, and fullerene; C60) were modelled and investigated with sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and oxygen (O) atoms, to facilitate the delivery of zidovudine (ZVD). This investigation was computationally investigated using the density functional theory (DFT), calculated at B3LYP functional and Gd3bj/Def2svp level of theory. Results from the frontier molecular orbital (FMO), revealed that the GP/C60_S_ZVD complex calculated the least energy gap of 0.668 eV, thus suggesting a favourable interactions. The study of adsorption energy revealed chemisorption among all the interacting complexes wherein GP/C60_S_ZVD complex (-1.59949 eV) was highlighted as the most interacting system, thereby proving its potential for the delivery of ZVD. The outcome of this research urges that a combination of GP and C60 modified with chalcogen particularly, O, S, and Se can aid in facilitating the delivery of zidovudine.

This study focuses on high-temporal-resolution Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) estimation over Nigeria, which is crucial for enhancing satellite-based applications. Utilizing RINEX, IONEX, and SP3 data from 2011 across 10 stations, the research integrates a novel VTEC model (LIMS) based on orthogonal transformation, achieving an unprecedented 10-minute temporal resolution sampling. The model incorporates multi-Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) constellations. Geomagnetic and solar activity impact assessments involve the Ap index, sunspot number, and DSt index. Specifically, the DSt index for March 16–18, 2015, analyzes the geomagnetic storm of St Patrick’s Day. Validation compares LIMS with International GNSS Service (IGS), Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE), and International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2020) estimates, showing strong correlations during various conditions. Daily VTEC patterns reveal the lowest values in the early morning, a midday peak, occasional double peaks, secondary maximum, and post-sunset enhancements, especially during equinoxes. Seasonal analysis highlights the highest mean VTEC in September Equinox and December Solstice, and the lowest during June Solstice. Spectral analysis identifies prominent diurnal, semi-diurnal, and sub-diurnal frequency components. This research significantly advances the understanding of VTEC in Nigeria, offering a valuable tool for precise positioning, satellite communication, and space weather forecasting. Notably, 9 stations processed 2011 data, while one station from this group and an additional station were used for a 3-day storm analysis in 2015 due to data availability.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers among men, particularly affecting men of African descent and contributing significantly to cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease varies widely, from slow-developing forms to highly aggressive or potentially fatal variants. Accurate risk stratification is crucial for making therapeutic decisions and designing adequate clinical trials. This review assesses a broad spectrum of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, many of which are incorporated into clinical guidelines, including the Prostate Health Index (PHI), 4Kscore, STHLM3, PCA3, SelectMDx, ExoDx Prostate Intelliscore (EPI), and MiPS. It also highlights emerging biomarkers with preclinical support, such as urinary non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation patterns. Additionally, the review explores the role of tumor-associated microbiota in PCa, offering new insights into its potential contributions to disease understanding. By examining the latest advancements in PCa biomarkers, this review enhances understanding their roles in disease management.

Abstract Electrochemical sensors based on self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) were synthesized using metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), quantum dots (QDs) and their composite (QDs@MOFs) to modify gold electrode (AuE) that was used as electrochemical sensors for bisphenol A detection. The molecular layer was assembled on the surface of the gold electrode by adsorption and provide a highly flexible method to tailor the interfaces between analyte and the electrode. Single crystal X‐ray of the MOF revealed a six‐coordinate copper(II) ion that bidentately coordinate two molecules of p‐anisic acid and two molecules of 1H‐benzimidazole to form a distorted octahedral geometry around the copper(II) ion. Electrochemical studies revealed that under optimal conditions, the modified gold electrode sensors show excellent sensing of bisphenol A, however, QDs@MOFs modified electrode is the best sensor with the highest oxidation peak current of 8.43E‐05 μA and the lowest charge transfer resistance of 19.4 Ω within a wide concentration range of 0.1–1 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.252 μM. This could be attributed to the electrocatalytic activity of the composite (QDs@MOFs) modified sensor, and the synergistic effect of the MOFs and QDs in the composite. The LOD is comparable to other electrochemical methods of sensing BPA which indicates that QDs@MOFs modified gold electrode could be develop as sensor for BPA.

In recent times, spousal homicide resulting from domestic violence has been on the increase in Nigeria, and one major factor responsible for this is the Christian doctrine that prohibits divorce. Hence, employing the historical-critical exegesis and descriptive approach, this article postulated a correlation between this doctrine and spousal homicide, and sought a possible reconsideration of divorce prohibition as a solution to the latter. The work found that in Nigeria, because of the conservative view of divorce, the churches dissuade women experiencing domestic violence from divorce, just as they treat divorcees with contempt and segregation. Hence, there exists a correlation between divorce prohibition and spousal homicide because the latter is usually an outcome of domestic abuse. Therefore, the article argued that a solution to spousal homicide in Nigeria could arise from a reconsideration of divorce prohibition through a critical examination of the biblical texts upon which the doctrine is anchored. Contribution: This article is a contribution to the discourse on the spate of spousal homicide in Nigeria arising from domestic violence. It postulates a correlation between the Christian divorce prohibition and spousal homicide, and therefore proposes a reconsideration of this doctrine as a solution to the latter.

Unlike Hannah, who eventually had a child, there are women today who remain childless. In the modern world, there are various reasons why women choose not to have children. Therefore, when interpreting the Hannah narrative in modern times, it is important to consider these evolving aspects of barrenness. This article applies historical-critical exegesis, narrative reading and a descriptive approach to examine Hannah’s experience in the Nigerian context. It also evaluates African traditional beliefs on childlessness in light of modern realities. The study reveals that many women in pronatalist societies worldwide now choose to be child-free because of reasons such as difficulty finding marriage partners or financial instability. As these factors are also present in Nigeria, childless Nigerian women should embrace their situation and find happiness instead of succumbing to stigmatisation. To support these Christian women, the church in Nigeria must accept and teach the truth that not every woman needs to bear children. Contribution: This article contributes to the discussion on Christian attitudes towards childlessness. It argues that the interpretation of Hannah’s infertility in today’s world should consider new circumstances, such as voluntary childlessness. In light of this argument, Nigerian women without children should embrace their situation and find happiness instead of succumbing to societal stigma.

Abstract The seasonal outbreaks of Mpox continue in most parts of West and Central Africa. In the past year, Nigeria had the highest number of reported cases. Here, we used the PRISMA guidelines to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence on Mpox in Nigeria to assess the prevalence, transmission pattern, diagnostic approach, and other associated factors useful for mitigating the transmission of the disease. All relevant observational studies in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, AJOL, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar on Mpox in Nigeria were assessed within the last fifty years (1972 to 2022). In all, 92 relevant articles were retrieved, out of which 23 were included in the final qualitative analysis. Notably, most of the cases of Mpox in Nigeria were from the southern part of the country. Our findings showed a progressive spread from the southern to the northern region of the country. We identified the following factors as important in the transmission of Mpox in Nigeria; poverty, lack of basic healthcare facilities, and risk of exposure through unsafe sexual practices. Our findings reiterate the need to strengthen and expand existing efforts as well as establish robust multi-sectoral collaboration to understand the dynamics of Mpox Nigeria.

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive environmental contaminants that have attracted considerable attention due to their widespread utilization, resilient characteristics, adverse health implications, and regulatory scrutiny. Despite documented toxicity in living organisms, the precise molecular mechanisms governing the induced adverse effects remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate mechanisms of toxic action by collecting empirical data sets along oxidative stress and metabolic disruption pathways. We investigated the impact of long-chain PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and its short-chain analog (perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)) on human neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y). The functionalities of enzymes associated with oxidative stress (catalase and glutathione reductase) and cellular metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase) were also characterized. Our results reveal that a 24-hour exposure to PFOA and PFBA generated significant levels of reactive oxygen species. Correspondingly, there was a notable decline in catalase and glutathione reductase activities, with PFBA demonstrating a more pronounced effect. High concentrations of PFOA and PFBA reduced metabolic activity. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was only impacted by a high concentration of PFBA, while pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was decreased with PFBA exposure and increased with PFOA exposure. The findings from this study contribute to the knowledge of PFAS and cell interactions and reveal the potential underlying mechanisms of PFAS-induced toxicity.

The sobering reality is that numerous infectious diseases can no longer be effectively treated with antibiotics, necessitating immediate attention and action. Therefore, this study explores a thiadiazol derivative for the purpose of elucidating its antibacterial efficacy against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prior to this examination, the compound (DOP) under study was structurally and electronically investigated utilizing density functional theory (DFT) at the ωB97XD/6–311++G (d, p) level of theory. Interestingly, this comprehensive investigation encompassed spectral analyses including FT-IR, and UV-excitation all studied in different solvents including DMSO, water, and methanol. Results of the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis, DOP_gas showcased the lowest energy gap of 3.943 eV, implying heightened reactivity. Substantially, results from the pharmacokinetic studies illuminated facets of distribution, metabolism, and toxicity. Thus, registering the compound to possess incredible drug-like properties suggesting no detriments in terms of treatment. Notwithstanding, resounding results from the molecular docking studies presented DOP exhibited notable binding affinities and formed strong conventional hydrogen bonds with specific residues, indicating robust interactions. Particularly, DOP_6V78 and DOP_4WEJ displayed the highest affinities of -11.0 kcal/mol and 10.1 kcal/mol against Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of DOP against Carbapenem-resistant strains, suggesting its favorable attributes in comparison to conventional drugs in terms of binding affinity and interaction strength.

Parasitic infections such as lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) solely result from the infestation of a slender and thread-like worm. This condition precipitates swelling, often accompanied by skin alterations, potentially leading to substantial disability and disfigurement. Recent advancements in preventive measures for lymphatic filariasis encompass mass drug administration (MDA) involving antifilarial drugs. To that effect, this investigation employs an experimental and theoretical approach, utilizing the DFT/6–311++(2p,2d)/ωB97X-D level of theory, to evaluate the anti-filarial properties of a thiadiazol derivative, designated by the code (PTA). The comparative analysis of the spectroscopic data (FT-IR, UV, and NMR) was observed to be in good agreement. The geometry equilibration, it was observed that attributed to the influence of solvents and their properties, including the dielectric constant and polarity C18-S2 bond exhibited the highest bond length values 1.80208 (Å) in a gaseous environment. In the comparison of energy gaps, PTA_DMSO exhibited the smallest gap at 3.899 eV, while PTA_Water displayed a broader gap at 4.724 eV. PTA_Chloroform and PTA_Gas followed closely with energy gaps of 4.718 and 4.599 eV, respectively. The smaller energy gap observed in PTA_DMSO suggests higher reactivity and lower stability of the compound in this solvent. This finding underscores the potential efficacy of the ligand in DMSO as a promising drug candidate in this particular medium. From the molecular docking analysis shows the hydrogen bonds formed between 3VKL and PTA are four hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol, while with the two standard drugs, dimethylcarbamazine, one hydrogen bond with a binding affinity of -4.30 kcal/mol and albendazole with three hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -5.3 kcal/mol. Also, with 4BME protein, three hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol for PTA, one hydrogen bond for diethylcarbamazine with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol and two hydrogen bonds for albendazole with a binding affinity of -2.9 kcal/mol.

This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of solvation on the structural, spectroscopy (UV, NMR, FT-IR), reactivity, bonding interactions, and the drug potential of Pyridine 4-Carbaldehyde Semi-carbazone (PCS) against the disease (cholera) causing protein in the Gram-negative bacterium; Vibrio cholerae. Notably, the study was carried out using both experimental and theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) at the GD3B/B3LYP/6–311G++(2D,2P) level of theory along with molecular docking. Results from the UV- spectrum showed very fair absorption levels across the different solvents used, with theoretical peaks at 463 nm, 467 nm, 470 nm and 468 nm for PCS_DMSO, PCS_ETOH, PCS_H2O and PCS_MEOH, respectively. The study reveals discrepancies between experimental and theoretical 1H NMR shifts. However, theoretical 13C NMR shifts show minute differences. RDG analysis reveals steric repulsions in the pyridine ring. Whereas, the investigation of electronic properties reveal that the decreasing order of PCS_DMSO (3.668 eV) > PCS_H2O (3.206 eV) > PCS_MEOH (3.202 eV) > PCS_ETOH (0.312 eV). The results of docking showed that PCS had binding affinities of -5.0 Kcal/mol with protein 7P3R and -5.4 Kcal/mol with protein 1XTC which happen to be much lesser than -10.2 Kcal/mol formed between erythromycin and 7P3R. However, erythromycin formed a non-feasible bonding interactions with 1XTC with biding affinity of 18.0 Kcal/mol. Results of the MD simulation showed that PCS-MEOH had a higher energy value than PCS-DMSO, PCS-ETOH, and PCS-H2, indicating that it can interact with other substances more effectively, disperse more quickly. These results from the various studied objectives, however, suggest Pyridine 4-Carbaldehyde Semi-carbazone to be a lead compound for tackling the incidence, distribution and prevalence of cholera.

Among Nigerian Christians, there is a clash of doctrine and reality revolving around the question of the correct Christian attitude towards traditional medicine. The clash resides in the fact that, while most of them consult traditional healers, especially in critical health situations, some still hold that, using traditional medicine, contradicts the Christian faith. Employing the descriptive approach, this article attempted to reconcile the use of African traditional medicine with the Christian faith. This research found that Western missionaries condemned African healing practices, teaching that Christians should find healing only at the hospitals and in Christian prayer. However, African converts continued to rely on native healers, particularly for ailments for which Western medicine was ineffective – a practice which continues till date in Nigeria. Moreover, many Nigerian Christians, especially the Aladura group, still believe that sometimes ailments have supernatural causes, and therefore combine African and Christian methods for healing. This article postulated that this approach to healing is appropriate because it is not offensive to the Christian faith and provides alternatives for Christian patients. Contribution: This article is a contribution in Christian ethics. It argues that a solution to the clash between doctrine and reality in Nigerian Christians’ attitude to African traditional medicine is to adopt traditional African healing practices that are not offensive to the Christian faith.

The advent of nanotechnology has spurred the development and utilization of nanomaterials and nanofluids in solar energy research. This paper presents for the first time a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on nanofluid application to solar energy research. Data sourced from the Scopus® database covering 15 years were employed in this study. Network analyses of the participating organizations and countries, citations of documents and sources, and co-occurrence of author keywords were performed using VOS viewer® software. The result showed that 1630 articles consisting majorly of journals (76.4%) were published with the year 2021 recording 23.48% of the total publications. Engineering (922 articles) emerged as the subject of study with the most published articles. The results revealed that China and the University of Malaya with the highest number of publications were the most productive country and organization, respectively. The work of Ghasemi H. published in 2014 was the leading paper with 1049 citations while “Solar Energy” was the leading journal with 5456 citations. The most used keyword was “Nanofluid”. Research hotspots focused on the optical and thermal properties of different nanofluids and their application in solar energy devices. Development of green and novel nanoparticles and base fluids, deployment of thermal enhancement techniques, and increased studies on hybrid nanofluids and solar still are future research undertakings. The compendium of findings herein is expected to benefit the solar energy research community and serve as the catalyst for future studies in this regard.

ABSTRACT: Backyard poultry flocks that employ heritage breeds of chicken play a crucial role in the maintenance of poultry pathogens of economic and zoonotic importance. This study examined innate immunity to viral pathogens in heritage chicken breeds using a model of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Following intraperitoneal injection of high molecular weight (HMW) -poly(I:C)/Lyovec into 4-wk-old chicks, we evaluated gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and splenocytes. There was a significant difference across breeds in the expression of IL-4, IL-12p40, IFNγ, and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in the spleen. In PBMCs, a significant difference in IFN-α expression was seen across breeds. Approximately 57% of IFN-α transcripts in PBMCs was explained by levels of expression of MDA5 transcripts. Using flow cytometry, we showed that only monocytes/macrophages (KUL01+ cells) expressed the scavenger receptor CD163. Regression analysis showed that 42% of fold change in CD163 expression on PBMCs was explained by breed (P < 0.0004). In general, breeds that responded to HMW-poly(I:C) by showing higher upregulation of IFNγ, IL-1β, and IL-12p40 transcripts in the spleen, and higher IFNα transcripts in peripheral blood, expressed less CD163 on blood monocytes. These findings suggest a genetic basis for the response of chickens to double-stranded RNA. Surface expression of the scavenger receptor CD163 in PBMCs following injection of high molecular weight poly(I:C) may be a rapid method to select chickens for breeding based on innate immune response to viral dsRNA.

Glossolalia has been a major divisive doctrine in the Christendom, as some Pentecostals claim that it is proof of being a real Christian. This article examined the extent to which tongues-speaking in the neo-Pentecostal churches in Nigeria conforms to New Testament (NT) teaching. It employed narrative criticism and the phenomenological approach. The essay found that glossolalia appeared in the NT in both human and unintelligible languages. As the gift caused disorderliness in the Corinthian church, Paul says it is desirable but should not be allowed to disrupt worship. During worship, there should not be more than three people speaking in tongues, and they should do it in turn. Most importantly, if there is not an interpreter, there should be no tongues-speaking at all. The work further discovered that in the Nigerian neo-Pentecostal churches, it is the unintelligible form of glossolalia that is predominantly practised, and usually without interpretation, thereby contradicting Paul’s order. Moreover, the gift is being feigned by many to prove that they are born-again. In terms of its nature and conduct, therefore, glossolalia in the neo-Pentecostal churches in Nigeria is more of a deliberate practice than a continuation of the NT practice. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The disciplines of NT theology and Christian ethics are implicated in this article. It argues that the glossolalia being practised in the Nigerian neo-Pentecostal churches is virtually a deliberate practice rather than a spiritual gift.

The idea of God punishing children for the sins of their parents in Exodus 20:5 sounds contrary to divine justice as represented in the Old Testament (OT). However, despite the apparent contradiction, strands of Christianity have continued to hold the view of retribution in Exodus. In Nigeria, it is reflected in the teaching on breaking generational curses in the neo-Pentecostal churches. This article has critically examined Exodus 20:5 as a basis for this doctrine, employing the historical-critical and descriptive methods. Contrary to the claim by some scholars that the doctrine of collective responsibility in Exodus 20:5 contradicts individual retribution that is found in Ezekiel and Jeremiah, this article found that these prophets express collective responsibility when they attribute the exile to the sins of the ancestors. Moreover, the belief in corporate responsibility continued to be held among the Jews after the exile. The teaching on generational curses in Nigeria is partly a reflection of the continuing influence of Exodus 20:5. This article concluded, however, that deducing the doctrine of generational curses from the Exodus text fails to take cognisance of the folkloristic character of Exodus. Given this character, the words visiting the iniquity of parents upon the children are those of the narrator, and not of God. Contribution: Contributing to the scholarly discourse on the notion of inherited punishment in Exodus 20:5, this article postulates that it is hermeneutically incorrect to base the belief in generational curses on this text.

Due to their ubiquity and the rise of drug-resistant forms, Candida albicans infections pose a serious threat to world health. Exploring new molecular possibilities is essential in order to create newer antifungal medicines to address this challenge. Herein, the use of density functional theory at the B3LYP-D3BJ/aug-cc-pVDZ method along with the in silico molecular docking was utilized to examine the effects of polar (DMSO, ethanol, water) solvation on the reactivity, spectral (NMR, UV, FT-IR) investigation, and the antifungal potential of a bis[ethyl2-(4-hydroxy-3-{(E)-[(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)inimo]methyl} phenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carbo -xylate (BTZ). The study finds that polar solvents exert a notable influence on BTZ's reactivity, with the highest energy gap observed in the gas phase with a value of 3.4939 eV while in the solvents; the values are 3.4477, 3.4477, and 3.4422 eV for DMSO, ethanol, and water, respectively. This observation implies that BTZ may exhibit varying degrees of reactivity under different solvents. To evaluate BTZ's suitability as a potential antifungal agent, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) studies were conducted which reveals that BTZ adheres to Lipinski's rule of five, demonstrating its drug-like potential. Molecular docking simulations against Candida albicans proteins (1ZAP and 6ZDU) show promising binding affinities, with BTZ exhibiting a strong interaction with 1ZAP (-5.4 kcal/mol). The findings of this research contribute valuable insights into the reactivity and potential antifungal activity of BTZ, providing a promising candidate for further exploration in the quest for effective treatments against Candida infections.

PURPOSEAfricans have been associated with more aggressive forms of breast cancer (BC). However, there is a lack of data regarding the incidence and distribution of different subtypes on the basis of phenotypic classification. This scoping review and meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the distribution pattern of BC phenotypes (luminal, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]+, and triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]) across the African region.METHODSFour online databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost) were accessed to identify studies published between 2000 and 2022 reporting the representation of receptor status (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2) in African patients with BC. Furthermore, the meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model and pooled using the inverse variance method and logit transformation. 95% CI and I2 statistics were calculated using the Clopper-Pearson method to estimate between-study heterogeneity.RESULTSA total of 2,734 records were retrieved, of which 2,133 were retained for further screening. After the screening, 63 studies were finally selected for the scoping review and meta-analysis. The pooled frequency of luminal, HER2-positive (HER2+), and TNBC was estimated at 56.30%, 12.61%, and 28.10%, respectively. Northern Africa had the highest frequency of the luminal subtype, while West Africa showed higher frequencies of HER2+ and TNBC subtypes. The review also had a representation of only 24 countries in Africa.CONCLUSIONOur results highlight the disparity in the representation of molecular subtypes among the people in different regions of Africa. There is a need to incorporate routine molecular subtyping into the management of African patients with BC.

Background: In spite of the enormous benefits of immunization, uptake of the expanded programme on immunization vaccines has remained low, especially in Northern Nigeria. Pentavalent-3 uptake in Nigeria was 33% in 2017, and up to 40% of children 12 months old were not vaccinated. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the factors influencing routine vaccination uptake and completion among children 12–23 months in North-central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Ilorin between December 2019 and January 2020 among 456 mothers/caregivers-children pairs. Participants were recruited using multistage cluster sampling technique. Results: Eighty percent (80%) of the children studied were fully vaccinated, with a vaccine uptake of 100% for Bacille Calmette-Guerin, OPV0, HBV0, OPV1, and Penta1; 83.8% for measles; and 83.1% for yellow fever. Significant factors associated with complete vaccination are: mothers/caregivers having formal education, P = 0.001; antenatal care (ANC) attendance, P = 0.001; being employed, P = 0.007, delivery in hospital, P = 0.001 and low birth order, P = 0.003. Predictors of complete vaccination are mothers with tertiary education (odd ratio [OR]: 11.51, confidence interval [CI]: 2.43–54.64, P = 0.002), ANC attendance (OR: 7.76, CI: 2.58–23.33, P < 0.001), and hospital delivery (OR: 2.86, CI: 1.6–5.0, P < 0.001). Psychosocial factors such as religious belief, cultural acceptance, and husbands’ support are also associated with vaccination uptake and completion among the children. Conclusion: Vaccination uptake for the various antigens and full vaccination status are generally high in this study, but still below the global target. Access to ANC services, hospital delivery, and female empowerment will enhance and improve vaccine uptake and completion.

When the protestant Christian missionaries arrived in Nigeria in the 19th century, they disallowed native music as well as the use of musical instruments in the church because of the fear that these would encourage their converts to retain their heathen practices. However, today the solemn congregational hymns they introduced have been either supplemented or replaced with vibrant instrumental music in most churches. The article investigated the reasons why the missionaries banned instrumental music and assessed whether the musical innovations made by Nigerian Christians have hindered or helped the growth of Christianity. Applying the reader-oriented and phenomenological approaches, the article found that phases of musical adaptations in terms of indigenous genres, instruments and traditional and modern dance modes were introduced principally through the youth fellowship groups, indigenous choirs, the Aladura and the Neo-Pentecostal churches. While some critics have argued against these innovations, they have been found to have biblical support, particularly in the psalms. Among other advantages, the indigenous adaptations enhance interest in worship and cater for preferential musical tastes among worshippers. Most churches have come to value the new musical genres so much that they no longer can do without them during worship. Therefore, instrumental music has helped the growth and development of the church in Nigeria in several ways. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research involves both the Old and New Testaments as well as Christian music. It holds that rather than being a hindrance to the Christian faith in Nigeria, instrumental music has helped its growth tremendously.

Eto (ritual) stands for the sacred preparations made by Aladura prophets and prophetesses for their clients for therapeutic purposes. The practice of eto shares striking similarities with Yourba traditional methods of medication. But there is the argument that the Aladura healing rituals might as well be an imitation of Jesus’ methods. Therefore, this article examined these rituals in light of Jesus’ use of spittle for healing with a view to ascertaining if they are justified as a Christian practice. Applying the reader-oriented and descriptive methods, the article discovered that apart from the affinities with Jesus’ methods, some people are convinced that the Aladura healing process is divinely directed and efficacious. However, the research also found some healing practices among the Aladura which contradict Christian belief. The essay concluded that barring these abuses, the Aladura healing process is justified as a Christian practice. Contribution: This research is a contribution in Christian ethics. It postulates that the healing rituals of the Aladura churches in Nigeria could be an acceptable Christian practice if the excesses are avoided.

The Samaritan woman in John 4 has been generally viewed as morally loose because of her marital experience. Nigerian women with similar experience are also perceived by many as morally deficient. This article examined the woman’s experience in light of divorce and remarriage in Nigeria. Employing the reader-oriented and descriptive methods, the essay found that in his encounter with the Samaritan woman Jesus did not accuse her of any sin. Moreover, the Pentateuchal laws, which were binding also on Samaritans, had provisions by which it was permissible for a woman to be married several times. Therefore, the woman’s marital experience did not necessarily make her morally deficient. The article also found that in Nigeria certain patriarchal factors do force women out of marriage, which also has nothing to do with their moral status. Due to the Christian doctrine that prohibits a woman to marry another man while her husband is still alive, some churches treat women divorcees with contempt and segregation. But this doctrine is based on biblical passages, which if adapted to the Nigerian readers’ context make divorce and remarriage acceptable. This view is in line with Jesus’ open attitude to the Samaritan woman. Therefore, in the Nigerian context the pastoral significance of the Samaritan woman’s story resides not in her morality but in the church recognising that divorce and remarriage do not constitute disobedience to scripture, and that they are not necessarily an indication of moral misconduct on the part of the affected women. Contribution: Contributing to the scholarly discussion on the Samaritan woman narrative, the article compared her marital experience with those of Nigerian women affected by divorce and remarriage, and postulated that their experiences are not necessarily an indication of moral depravity on their part.

The traditional African society attached special value to female virginity, associating it with personal purity and honour. But today in Nigeria, virginity has lost its importance to premarital sex. The neglect of this virtue should be a concern to the Church in Nigeria because this is now a rising trend being witnessed among the Christian youth. This article, therefore, attempted a re-reading of Deuteronomy 22:13–21 as a response to the problem of premarital sex among Nigerian Christian youth. It employed the historical-critical exegesis and the descriptive approach. The work revealed that several factors are responsible for the prevalence of premarital sex in Nigeria, including a lack of sex education from parents, and the influence of western culture, among others. It also discovered that premarital sexual behaviour has social implications, particularly for female youth. These include unwanted pregnancy and abortion. The article concluded that the prevalence of premarital sex among Nigerian Christian youth is a challenge to the Church and postulated a sexual theology of the Church in which Deuteronomy 22:13–21 takes a central place. Taking a cue from the text, this theology would assign significant roles to the church community, the youth themselves and parents in a bid to provide sex education for the youth so that they avoid premarital sex. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research involves the disciplines of the Old Testament and Christian ethics. It relates the narrative on virginity proof in Deuteronomy 22:13–21 to the Nigerian context with its high rate of premarital sex. The article postulates that the text can be employed in a sexual theology of the Church that would help in combating prevalent premarital sex.

In recent times, the quest for miracles among Nigerian Christians has become a social menace as many have fallen victim to fake miracle workers. The article studied the quest for miracles in Nigeria against the purpose and significance of miracles in the New Testament (NT), and sought to appraise this behaviour as a possible effect of the poor economic situation in the country. It applied the reader-oriented and descriptive methods. The work found that the manner of the quest for miracles by many Nigerian Christians indicates their lack of understanding of the essence of miracles in the NT. This wrong perception also explains the frantic efforts by some pentecostal preachers to work miracles, including commercialisation of miracles and certain occult practices. The essay concluded that Nigerian Christians wrong attitude towards miracles is an effect of the high rate of poverty in the country. The menace can, therefore, be ameliorated by addressing the economic situation. Government should change its corrupt attitude towards the economy while the church has to educate their members about the teaching of the Bible on miracles, and direct her preaching against corruption and its perpetrators. Contribution: The article is a contribution to the discourse on the controversies on miracles. It argues that Nigerian Christians’ perception of miracles contradicts the essence of miracles in the NT, and that this perception and the practices involved are an effect of the poor economic situation in the country.

Viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) interacts with Retinoic-acid-inducible-gene-1 (RIG-1)-like receptors (RLRs) to induce type 1 interferons. Melanoma-derived-antigen-5 (MDA-5), an RLR, but not RIG-1, is found in chickens. Ducks express both RIG-1 and MDA-5, a possible cause of differences in susceptibility to influenza virus infection between chickens and ducks. Using the HD11 chicken macrophage cell line and an RT2 Profiler PCR-array system, we showed that high-molecular-weight poly(I:C), HMW-poly(I:C), upregulates CCL4, interferon-gamma, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 mRNA transcripts. HMW-poly(I:C), an in vitro surrogate of long dsRNA species, also induces the upregulation of IL-12B and B cell activating factor (BAFF). Conversely, low-molecular-weight poly(I:C), LMW-poly(I:C) did not induce a distinct cytokine expression pattern. Nonetheless, co-transfection of LMW and HMW-poly(I:C) significantly reduced the upregulation of IL12B and BAFF by HMW-poly(I:C). These findings support previous studies that found no expression of RIG-1, a receptor for short dsRNA species, in chicken cells. Surprisingly, however, our data suggested that in the absence of RIG-1 in chicken macrophages, short dsRNA species may inhibit macrophage-mediated B cell development and survival by modulating the expression of BAFF without significantly reducing type 1 interferon response.

The description of levirate marriage in Deuteronomy 25:5–10 has reminiscences with the same practice in Africa, especially isupo (levirate marriage) among the Yoruba of south-west Nigeria. The article seeks the relevance of this text in Nigeria in the possibility of levirate marriage still being of some socio-economic value to Christian widows and the society at large. It employs the historical-critical and descriptive methods. The work finds that in both the Hebrew and African cultures, levirate marriage served the purpose of raising children for the deceased, who would perpetuate his lineage and inherit his property. But in Africa the institution was most significant in providing economic and social protection for widows and their children. Unfortunately, levirate marriage is fast disappearing in Nigeria because of Western influence, particularly Christianity. The effect of this for many widows is abject poverty, by virtue of which some of them resort to illegitimate and dishonouring means to make ends meet. The work, therefore, concludes that resuscitating levirate marriage would be of immense socio-economic value to Nigerian widows and the society. Contribution: The article is a contribution to Old Testament theology and Christian ethics. It proposes that levirate marriage can still be employed as a means of socio-economic protection for Nigerian Christian widows.

Neuroprotective activities of various extracts of Ocimum gratissimum (OG), have been reported, but there is paucity of information on its neurotherapeutic constituents. This study is aimed at identifying the neurotherapeutic constituents in OG leaves using in vitro assays, GC-MS chemical investigation and in silico studies including molecular docking, ensemble-based docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, clustering and ADMET filtering analysis. Methanol extract of O gratissimum (MEOG) and solvent-partition (n-hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol residue fraction) of MEOG were investigated for in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition at concentration of 0.65, 12.5, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL, using donepezil, phenazine methosulfate and selegiline as reference inhibitors for AChE, BChE and MAO B respectively. n-hexane solvent partition fraction was further investigated using GC-MS analysis. Identified compounds were screened against human AChE, BChE and MAO-B activities using molecular docking and molecular dynamics. The lead phytochemicals were further analysed for ADMET in silico analysis. MEOG and the 3 fractions (n-hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol residue fraction) inhibited the activities of AChE, BChE and MAO-B in a concentration-dependent manner with AChE (IC50 = 2.380, 2.022, 2.066 and 1.079 mg/mL respectively), BChE (IC50 = 2.261, 2.126, 2.630 and 1.465 mg/mL respectively) and MAO-B (IC50 = 2.345, 1.584, 2.933 and 2.935 mg/mL respectively). From the 38 GC-MS identified compounds, 7 hit compounds were further subjected to ensemble-docking, the lead phytochemicals (LP): cholestane and 3-methoxy-morphanin presented highest multiple binding tendencies to the three enzymes. Cholestane had the highest binding energies of −9.9, −9.0 and −11 kcal/mol, while 3-methoxy-morphanin presented the second-best binding energies of −9.3, −8.2 and −10.1 kcal/mol respectively. When compared with the binding pattern of reference inhibitors of the enzyme, lead phytochemicals were orientated in the catalytic sites of the enzyme and interacted with important catalytic residues. The LP-enzyme complexes were stable during the MD simulation analysis. Cholestane and 3-methoxy-morphanin presented favorable ADMET properties over several molecular descriptors and filters, with druggable properties and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Hence, cholestane and 3-methoxy-morphanin, in part, or in synergy with other hit phytochemicals, may be responsible for the neurotherapeutic activities of MEOG leaves.

PURPOSEAuthorship is a proxy indicator of research capacity. Understanding the research capacity is imperative for developing population-specific cancer control strategies. This is particularly apropos for African nations, where mortality from cancer is projected to surpass that from infectious disease and the populations are critically under-represented in cancer and genomics studies. Here, we present an analysis and discussion of the patterns of authorship in Africa as they pertain to cancer genomics research across African countries.METHODSPubMed metadata of relevant cancer genomics peer-reviewed publications on African populations, published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2019, were retrieved and analyzed for patterns of authorship affiliation using R packages, RISmed, and Pubmed.mineR.RESULTSThe data showed that only 0.016% (n = 375) of cancer publications globally were on cancer genomics of African people. More than 50% of the first and last authors of these publications originated from the North African countries of Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria. South Africa (13.6% and 12.7%) and Nigeria (2.2% and 1.9%) were the Sub-Saharan African countries most represented by first and last authorship positions, respectively. The United States contributed 12.6% of first and last authored papers, and nearly 50% of all African countries had no contributing author for the publications we reviewed.CONCLUSIONThis study highlights and brings awareness to the paucity of cancer genomics research on African populations and by African authors and identifies a need for concerted efforts to encourage and enable more research in Africa, needed for achieving global equity in cancer outcomes.

Diaspora investment flows measured as foreign direct investments represent one of the major outcomes of the activities of diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists in the economy. This paper contributes to the literature with distinct analysis of diaspora investment flows in low interest rate environments (Canada, Denmark, Euro area, Japan, Korea Republic, Sweden and the US) and high interest rate environments (Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey). First, we employ the Bounds cointegration analysis to investigate whether diaspora investment integrates either of the two groups of economies. Second, we apply the Toda-Yamamoto causality approach to examine whether the interest rate environment causes diaspora investment inflows. Third, we employ the Autoregressive Distributed Lag-Mixed Data Sampling (ADL-MIDAS) technique to evaluate the role of macroeconomic performance for attracting diaspora investments. We find proof of financial integration of diaspora investments in all the low interest rate economies, whereas the evidence is limited to three countries in the high interest rate environment. We also find that the low interest rate environment (more than the high interest rate environment) engenders diaspora investment inflows and also enhances the positive impact of macroeconomic performance in attracting diaspora investments. We highlight some insightful investment and policy implications from the findings.

This short communication paper reports the effects of manufacturing parameters (raster angle, layer height, and print orientation) on the flexural properties of material extrusion (ME) Ultrafuse Steel 316L. Flexural specimens were produced with four raster angles: ±30°, ±45°, ±75°, and 0°/90°, with each raster angle printed at three layer heights: 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mm. The former combinations were of ‘flat’ print orientation, and a limited amount of ‘on-edge’ print orientation specimens were included for a general comparison. Statistical analysis was performed on the flexural strength data. Furthermore, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was employed to study the deformation modes/mechanisms of the specimens. Comparable flexural strength results were obtained for the two print orientations. However, the ‘on edge’ print orientation specimens outperformed their counterparts. The ±30° raster angled specimens outperformed all other specimens in both the print orientations, recording the highest flexural strengths. Uniform deformation modes of the specimens were evidenced from the DIC analysis, where the effects of internal voids/porosity on subsequent mechanical properties were found to be minor. Overall, the results presented herein will increase confidence in employing the ME process for Steel 316L for applications involving bending loads.

Epoxidation-esterification of fatty acid methyl ester obtained from Terminalia catappa L. kernel oil (TCKO), its characterization, kinetics and thermodynamics were the main focus of this study. The methyl ester obtained via base catalyzed transesterification was used for epoxidation-esterification modification process. Epoxidation kinetics and thermodynamics parameters were also investigated. The properties of the TCKO and epoxidized-esterified Terminalia catappa L. kernel oil methyl ester (MTCKOe) were determined using standard methods. MTCKOe was analyzed using Dissolved Gas Analysis equipment, so as to determine its constituent gases compositions. The order 10−5Lmol−1s−1 and 39.97 KJ/mol were the respective rate constant K and activation energy Ea, obtained for the epoxidation process. ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS values for the epoxidation process were (136.00–148.82 kJ mol−1), 37.24 kJ mol−1, and −320.64 J mol−1 K−1, respectively, indicating non-spontaneous, endothermic, and endergonic process. The properties of MTCKOe sample were: -8°C, 280°C, 820 Kg/dm3, 8.56 mm2/s, 0.80 mgKOH/g, 0.65 mg/Kg and 50.05 KV for pour point, flash point, density, viscosity, acid value, moisture content and dielectric strength, respectively. The dissolved gas analysis result (in ppm) of the key gases for MTCKOe sample are:

The presented research responds to increased mental illness conditions worldwide and the need for efficient mental health care (MHC) through machine learning (ML) implementations. The datasets employed in this investigation belong to a Kaggle repository named "Mental Health Tech Survey." The surveys for the years 2014 and 2016 were downloaded and aggregated. The prediction results for bagging, stacking, LR, KNN, tree class, NN, RF, and Adaboost yielded 75.93%, 75.93%, 79.89%, 90.42%, 80.69%, 89.95%, 81.22%, and 81.75% respectively. The AdaBoost ML model performed data cleaning and prediction on the datasets, reaching an accuracy of 81.75%, which is good enough for decision-making. The results were further used with other ML models such as Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), bagging, and a few others, with reported accuracy ranging from 81.22% to 75.93% which is good enough for decision making. Out of all the models used for predicting mental health treatment outcomes, AdaBoost has the highest accuracy.

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is reducing therapeutic options for livestock and human health, with a paucity of information globally. To fill this gap, a One-Health approach was taken by sampling livestock on farms (n = 52), abattoir (n = 8), and animal markets (n = 10), and in-contact humans in Southeast Nigeria. Extended spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant (ESC-R) Escherichia coli was selectively cultured from 975 healthy livestock faecal swabs, and hand swabs from in-contact humans. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed on all ESC-R E. coli. For isolates showing a multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype (n = 196), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed for confirmation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase genes. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on a subset (n = 157) for detailed molecular characterisation. The results showed ESC-R E. coli was present in 41.2% of samples, with AST results indicating 48.8% of isolates were phenotypically MDR. qPCR confirmed presence of ESBL genes, with blaCTX-M present in all but others in a subset [blaTEM (62.8%) and blaSHV (0.5%)] of isolates; none harboured transferable carbapenemase genes. Multi-locus sequence typing identified 34 Sequence Types (ST) distributed among different sampling levels; ST196 carrying blaCTX-M-55 was predominant in chickens. Large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the core genome of isolates, even within the same clade by phylogenetic analysis, indicated high genetic diversity. AMR genotyping indicated the predominant blaCTX-M variant was blaCTX-M-15 (87.9%), although blaCTX-M-55, blaCTX-M-64, and blaCTX-M-65 were present; it was notable that blaCTX-M-1, common in livestock, was absent. Other predominant AMR genes included: sul2, qnrS1, strB, blaTEM-1b, tetA-v2, and dfrA14, with prevalence varying according to host livestock species. A blaCTX-M-15 harbouring plasmid from livestock isolates in Ebonyi showed high sequence identity to one from river/sewage water in India, indicating this ESBL plasmid to be globally disseminated, being present beyond the river environment. In conclusion, ESC-R E. coli was widespread in livestock and in-contact humans from Southeast Nigeria. WGS data indicated the isolates were genetically highly diverse, probably representing true diversity of wild type E. coli; they were likely to be MDR with several harbouring blaCTX-M-15. Surprisingly, human isolates had highest numbers of AMR genes and pigs the least.

Universities in developing countries and maybe a few in some developed countries are faced with the challenge of adopting an effective pedagogy for teaching Computer Programming Languages to students. This is due to lack of technological infrastructure and a number of peculiar limitations within these regions. The goal of this paper is two-fold, conducting a systematic review of related literature in Programming Languages and proposing a model for teaching Programming Languages effectively given sparse resources. On the systematic review, a search for literature from 4 databases using appropriate inclusion and exclusion techniques yielded 18 relevant research articles. Based on gaps found in literature, we propose an effective teaching approach that integrates teaching basic foundational aspects of programming, teaching students how to represent computing problems using these foundational concepts and using mobile compilers to compile their codes on the event that systems are not available. A few initial empirical results showing the effect of the adoption of a mobile tool for teaching Programming to undergraduate students are presented. This research recommends the adoption of an Online Console Compiler as the mobile Integration Development Environment (IDE). It also recommends some Programming Languages that should be adopted in teaching students from first year to fourth year using the National University Commission's (NUC) guidelines, course outlines from four Universities and data from Universities in developed countries. Care should be taken in the use of mobile phones as there are safety rules in some developed countries on the minimal set of acceptable systems for programmers. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Christians all over the world celebrate the Eucharist as an important aspect of their faith. Arising from Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 11:27–30 that persons who eat the Lord’s Supper unworthily bring judgment upon themselves, some churches in Nigeria restrict the Communion to supposedly holy members. This article examined the text with a view to appraising this attitude towards the Communion. It applied the historical exegesis and the analytical approach. The article found that the restriction of the Eucharist to selected members of the congregation is counter-productive and self-defeating in that many Christians are denied the opportunity to partake of it. Paul’s view of judgment upon participants derived from his Jewish perception in which affliction was always seen as divine punishment. Furthermore, at its inception the celebration of the Communion does not reflect the idea that it was meant for only holy people. In view of this, and the fact that the Jewish perception need not apply in the modern and scientific world, the work concluded that the mainline churches in Nigeria have to review their attitude towards the Communion such that all Christians are encouraged to participate in it. While laying emphasis on reverent and loving behaviour at the Lord’s Table, the idea of the Communion causing illness and death should be completely jettisoned. Contribution: This article is a contribution to New Testament Theology and Christian ethics. The proposal to make the Eucharist more accommodating is significant for congregational harmony in the church in Nigeria.

In the New Testament (NT), water baptism symbolises forgiveness of sins for the baptised, and their identification with Jesus Christ and the church as a body, but not the means of salvation. Most Nigerian churches involve baptism in certain practices, which apparently treat baptism as proof of salvation. This article examined such practices and assessed the extent to which they conform to the NT purpose of baptism. Employing the historical and descriptive methods, this research found that in the NT baptism was the means of public confession of Jesus as one’s Lord. Although several passages in the gospels and Acts give the impression that salvation is tied to baptism, there are many NT passages which make salvation absolutely God’s grace. This article discovered some church practices in Nigeria that suggest that water baptism is necessary for salvation. This attitude is seen in individual denominations making baptism their membership identity. Some other practices treat baptism as proof of salvation and holiness, which include denial of baptism and full membership to polygamists and making baptism a prerequisite for certain privileges. This article concluded that these practices contradict the NT purpose of baptism in that it was intended for identification with Christ and the universal church, not as membership identity of local church groups, or evidence of holiness. Contribution: This research is a contribution in New Testament theology. It argues that the adoption of water baptism as church membership identity in Nigeria, contradicts the original purpose of the sacrament.

Background: Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides is the causative organism of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP). It is a trans-boundary disease (TAD) and an endemic in Nigeria having caused serious financial loss for the country’s economy. Aim: This study was undertaken to isolate and confirm the presence of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) in cattle, from three selected South-Eastern states of Nigeria. Method: A total of Ninety (90) bovine samples (25 pleural fluids and 65 lung tissues) suggestive of CBPP were collected from different abattoirs in the three selected South-eastern states of Nigeria (Anambra, Enugu and Imo), for the isolation of Mmm by employing cultural method, whereas for confirmation Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) approach was used. The collected samples were cultured on Pleuropneumonia like organism (PPLO) agar according to specific protocols. Results: Twenty five (25) of the samples (lungs and pleural fluid) were positive for Mmm on PPLO agar giving an isolation rate of 27.7%. Only twenty one (21) of the isolates were further confirmed using PCR. The PCR amplification of the isolates produced a product of 1.1kbp which is specific for Mmm. No positive isolates were recovered from Imo state. Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of Mmm as the causative organism of CBPP in Southeast Nigeria. It is recommended that active surveillance and vaccination protocol should be undertaken in the region for the control and prevention of this disease.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant pathogen identified with healthcare-associated infections. The present study evaluates the role of biofilm and efflux pump activities in influencing high-level resistance in virulent P. aeruginosa strains in clinical infection. Phenotypic resistance in biotyped Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 147) from diagnosed disease conditions was classified based on multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices and analysed with logistic regression for risk factors. Efflux pump activity, biofilm formation, and virulence factors were analysed for optimal association in Pseudomonas infection using receiver operation characteristics (ROC). Age-specificity (OR [CI] = 0.986 [0.946–1.027]), gender (OR [CI] = 1.44 [0.211–9.827]) and infection sources (OR [CI] = 0.860 [0.438–1.688]) were risk variables for multidrug resistance (MDR)-P. aeruginosa infection (p < 0.05). Biofilm formers caused 48.2% and 18.5% otorrhea and wound infections (95% CI = 0.820–1.032; p = 0.001) respectively and more than 30% multidrug resistance (MDR) strains demonstrated high-level efflux pump activity (95% CI = 0.762–1.016; p = 0.001), protease (95% CI = 0.112–0.480; p = 0.003), lipase (95% CI = 0.143–0.523; p = 0.001), and hemolysin (95% CI = 1.109–1.780; p = 0.001). Resistance relatedness of more than 80% and 60% to cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors (ceftazidime, ceffproxil, augumentin, ampicillin) and, DNA translational and transcriptional inhibitors (gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, nitrofurantoin) were observed (p < 0.05). Strong efflux correlation (r = 0.85, p = 0.034) with MDR strains, with high predictive performances in efflux pump activity (ROC-AUC 0.78), biofilm formation (ROC-AUC 0.520), and virulence hierarchical-clustering. Combine activities of the expressed efflux pump and biofilm formation in MDR-P. aeruginosa pose risk to clinical management and infection control.

Background: Estrogen deficiency following menopause creates an imbalance in plasma micronutrient resulting in several degenerative pathological conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, etc. Objectives: The present study was designed to compare zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and selenium (Se) concentrations between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: In this descriptive study a total of 200 participants were classified into two groups of postmenopausal (age range: 46-75 years, served as experimental) and premenopausal (age range: 30-45 years, served as control). Each group consisted of 100 subjects. After obtaining informed consent from all participants, blood samples were collected from the antecubital fossa vein of each participant by venipuncture. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Se in each blood sample were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in serum Fe (114.24 ± 26.79 µg/dL), Zn (83.11 ± 20.45 µg/dL), and Se (41.99 ± 9.78 µg/dL) levels between the control and experimental groups. However, serum Fe and Zn showed progressive significant (P=0.04, 0.03, respectively) increase with increasing postmenopausal age. Conversely, serum Se concentration decreased significantly (P=0.03) with increasing menopausal age. Conclusion: Although no significant difference was observed in serum levels of Fe, Zn, and Se between pre- and post-menopausal women, the progressive significant increase in the serum Fe and Zn levels as well as significant decrease in serum Se level with advancing post-menopausal age portend a great risk.

Most of the building ceiling tiles used today from studies, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite ceilings, cardboard, plywood, particleboard, are flame friendly. Except for asbestos, which is confirmed to emit asbestosis, cancer from asbestos; already warned by the Environmental Protection Agencies and other health standard organizations. Studies have shown inherent harmful elements associated with the use of PVC Ceiling composite, plant-based ceiling, and asbestos, which propagate noxious emission at the instance of fire; their widespread use is quite enormous. The noxious behaviour during an inferno is a representation of the elemental make-up of these ceiling materials. Moreover, their vulnerability due to emission and combustion threat call for alternative materials with eco-friendly constituents for building ceiling applications. Problems associated with these building ceilings during fire include noxious gaseous emissions; fuel for the flame from ignition from other roof frame structures; after flame effect of inhaling poisonous gasses against the recommended exposure limit of 35 ppm by the World Health Organization (WHO). Flame retardance is credited to asbestos. However, for other ceiling tiles, some of the challenges of high heat flux, high thermal conductivity, and combustibility tendencies, are still current issues. The undesirable side effects of using ceiling tiles have necessitated a replacement with suitable flame retardant and eco-friendly influences. This is made to bear by appropriate material selection and by employing industrial wastes and agricultural wastes coupled with suitable binders to solve flame propagation challenges. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a flame retardant ceiling composite that will solve the identified anomalies in the existing ceiling tiles in the market in building industries. The developed materials are tested for thermal and emission characteristics to ascertain their integrity by employing advanced test equipment. The result shows that there are low values in thermal conductivity of the developed building ceiling samples. Sample 2 has the lowest value compared to the developed and existing ceiling tiles, much < 0.0802 W/mK, which is a desirable property in ceiling application. Low thermal diffusivity is required to suppress flame propagation. This is exhibited by sample 1, with a value of 0.85 × 10−8 m2/s as the lowest amongst developed ceiling samples The result showed null and negligible SO2 detection for all samples. The three samples' time to attain pre-set temperature varies in the ascending order of sample 1 at 24 min, sample 3 at 37 min, and sample 2 at 42 min. Sample 3, 0.6Aldr0.34Cmt0.05G0.01OBS; Sample 2, 0.6Aldr0.32Cmt0.05G0.03OBS and sample 1, 0.6Aldr0.3Cmt0.05G0.05OBS are in the order in terms of safe emission characteristics while sample 2 ranks best in terms of flame retardancy.This study has established that the developed building ceiling composite material is flame retardant capable of preventing fire propagation, unlike the flammable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ceiling composite. The developed building ceiling composite can minimize the emission of harmful elements in the make-up of the ceiling, as revealed in the results. The tiles are alternative to both noxious PVC and asbestos ceiling tiles. Oil beanstalk is a novel material introduced as a reinforcement to the developed composite. The manufacturing industries should explore materials with excellent eco-friendly flame retardant constituents to encourage sustainable building production.

The prosperity theology is the teaching that every person is purposed by God to be prosperous in all areas of life with emphasis on financial abundance. Since the early 1980s, the gospel of prosperity has been firmly established in Nigeria. This article examined this theology considering the demand on Christians for godliness with contentment in 1 Timothy 6:3–12. It employed the descriptive approach and the historical-critical exegesis. This study found that the prosperity preachers often support their claims with the Bible, but texts are usually cited without regard to their literary or historical contexts. It also discovered that 1 Timothy 6:3–12 does not teach that Christians should not be rich, but condemns inordinate desire for money because of the evils associated with it. The text supports benevolence from the wealthy towards the needy, but does not make giving mandatory. This article concluded that the prosperity gospel is at variance with the teaching on godliness with contentment. Instead, it encourages greed for money among Christians, particularly in view of the claim that poverty is proof of unrighteousness. The doctrine of giving in order to receive from God contradicts the principle of giving as found in 1 Timothy 6 and other relevant New Testament texts. Contribution: The article is a contribution to Christian ethics with a special focus on Christian attitude to money. It postulates that the prosperity teaching that all must be rich, contradicts the demand on Christians for godliness with contentment.

Abstract Background The prison population is considered at high risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to confined conditions, behavioral factors, injection drug use, unprotected sexual activity, non-professional tattooing and scarification, and needle sharing. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen mostly transmitted via percutaneous exposure that results in inflammation of the liver. It is one of the public health problem worldwide and is the principal cause of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HCV among prison inmates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria and the associated factors. Methods The study took a descriptive cross sectional approach using multi-stage sampling technique. One hundred and forty-two (142) prison inmates within the age range of 18–50 years and above were recruited for this study. Result Forty two (42); [29.6%] of the participating prison inmates were seropositive for HCV. Gender stratification showed that 31.0% of the males were seropositive for HCV while 15.4% of the females were seropositive for HCV. Fisher exact test showed that gender, age, marital status, occupation and level of education had no association in distribution of seroprevalence of HCV (p > 0.05) but the duration in prison was significantly associated with distribution of seropositivity of HCV in the studied population (p 0.05). However, 23.5% who had tattoo/scarification, 29.6% who used injection drug, 33.3% who had history of blood transfusion, 29.8% who had sexual experience, 21.2% who shared shaving equipment, and 28.3% who had multiple sex partners were seropositive for HCV. Conclusion Approximately 29.6% prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection observed among inmates studied is high and calls for concern. Attitude and behaviors by inmates such as tattooing/scarification, injection drugs use, sharing of shaving equipment, multiple sexual partners should be discouraged.

Set on historical context, this paper examines generally the problems hindering the effective learning of Islamic Law (Sharīʻah) in the citadels of learning in Nigeria. In doing this, the paper highlights the history of legal education especially, the high level of teaching and learning of Islamic Law in the pre-colonial Nigeria and the contemporary problems facing quality Islamic legal education due to colonial antipathy for Islamic Law as well as shortcomings in the content of Sharīʻah law curriculum of the Nigerian legal education system. Using doctrinal research method, the paper finds that scanty contents of the Sharīʻah law courses taught to combined law students in Nigerian universities go contrary to the aims and objectives of the founding fathers of the Islamic legal education in Nigeria. To achieve a turn round and improve the situation, the paper recommends the need for overhauling of the contents of all Islamic Law courses in the Nigerian Universities.

Transparency International has consistently reported a high level of corruption in sub-Saharan Africa, of which bribery is the commonest aspect. In Nigeria, bribery has been found to be an integral part of the public life of most public officials. This article related the message of the 8th-century prophets of Israel to the Nigerian context in which motorists are forced to pay bribes to law enforcement agents on the highways, and attempted to exonerate the motorists from bribery. The work employed the historical exegesis for the study of the relevant texts, and the descriptive approach for the analysis of bribery on Nigerian highways. The work found that the central context of the 8th-century prophets’ criticism of bribery was in the judicial process in which the court officials took bribes from the rich and denied justice to the poor. The message of the prophets is thus relevant to the current situation of the poor Nigerian motorists. It concluded that given the fact that the police, in particular, forcefully take money from the motorists, it is better described as extortion rather than bribery. In view of the helpless circumstances faced by the motorists, it is unlikely that the prophets would have accused them of bribery, but they certainly would have condemned the law enforcement agents for extortion. Therefore, given their situation, Nigerian motorists being extorted on the highways are not guilty of bribery. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research involves the disciplines of the Old Testament (OT) and Christian ethics. It relates the message of the OT prophets to the Nigerian context in which motorists are forced to give bribes to the law enforcement agents. The article postulates that the motorists are absolved of bribery, given the manner by which money is extorted from them.

African countries have demonstrated the weakest economic performance relative to other regions of the world as a result of underutilized capital structure despite being more integrated into the world economy since early 1990, thus, this study explores the linkages among globalization, human capital development, and productivity growth in Africa from 1990 to 2019. We employ Dumitrescu–Hurlin non-causality test, Cross-sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL), and Dynamic Panel Threshold model to find a bidirectional causality between human capital development and productivity growth. The result of CS-ARDL shows that globalization has a significant positive effect on productivity growth in the long run, while human capital has insignificant positive effects on productivity growth in both the short and long run. Also, we find that the threshold of human capital is 45.07%, and at any level beneath this threshold value, human capital and globalization impede productivity growth in Africa. The study concludes that the relationship between globalization, human capital development, and productivity growth is nonlinear and conditional on a certain level of human capital before the full benefit of globalization can be reaped in terms of productivity growth in Africa. Therefore, we recommend that the interdisciplinary policymakers should promote human capital development policies that conform to the rising population growth in Africa and take serious caution while making policies regarding globalization.

Advancements in technology related to energy systems, such as heat exchangers, electronics, and batteries, are associated with the generation of high heat fluxes which requires appropriate thermal management. Presently, conventional thermal fluids have found limited application owing to low thermal conductivity (TC). The need for more efficient fluids has become apparent leading to the development of nanofluids as advanced thermal fluids. Nanofluid synthesis by suspending nano-size materials into conventional thermal fluids to improve thermal properties has been extensively studied. TC is a pivotal property to the utilization of nanofluids in various applications as it is strongly related to improved efficiency and thermal performance. Numerous studies have been conducted on the TC of nanofluids using diverse nanoparticles and base fluids. Different values of TC enhancement have been recorded which depend on various factors, such as nanoparticles size, shape and type, base fluid and surfactant type, temperature, etc. This paper attempts to conduct a state-of-the-art review of the TC enhancement of metal oxide nanofluids owing to the wide attention, chemical stability, low density, and oxidation resistance associated with this type of nanofluid. TC and TC enhancements of metal oxide nanofluids are presented and discussed herein. The influence of several parameters (temperature, volume/weight concentration, nano-size, sonication, shape, surfactants, base fluids, alignment, TC measurement techniques, and mixing ratio (for hybrid nanofluid)) on the TC of metal oil nanofluids have been reviewed. This paper serves as a frontier in the review of the effect of alignment, electric field, and green nanofluid on TC. In addition, the mechanisms/physics behind TC enhancement and techniques for TC measurement have been discussed. Results show that the TC enhancement of metal oxide nanofluids is affected by the aforementioned parameters with temperature and nanoparticle concentration contributing the most. TC of these nanofluids is observed to be actively enhanced using electric and magnetic fields with the former requiring more intense studies. The formulation of green nanofluids and base fluids as sustainable and future thermal fluids is recommended.

The suspension of different nanoparticles into various conventional thermal fluids to synthesize nanofluids has been proven to possess superior thermal, optical, tribological, and convective properties, and the heat transfer performance over conventional thermal fluids. This task appears trivial but is complicated and significant to nanofluid synthesis and its subsequent utilization in diverse applications. The stability of mono and hybrid nanofluids is significantly related to stirring duration and speed; volume, density, and base fluid type; weight/volume concentration, density, nano-size, and type of mono or hybrid nanoparticles used; type and weight of surfactant used; and sonication time, frequency, mode, and amplitude. The effects of these parameters on stability consequently affect the thermal, optical, tribological, and convective properties, and the heat transfer performance of nanofluids in various applications, leading to divergent, inaccurate, and suspicious results. Disparities in results have inundated the public domain in this regard. Thus, this study utilized published works in the public domain to highlight the trend in mono or hybrid nanofluid formulation presently documented as the norm, with the possibility of changing the status quo. With the huge progress made in this research area in which a large quantum of different nanoparticles, base fluids, and surfactants have been deployed and more are still emerging in the application of these advanced thermal fluids in diverse areas, there is a need for conformity and better accuracy of results. Reproduction of results of stability, thermal, optical, tribological, anti-wear, and fuel properties; photothermal conversion; and supercooling, lubrication, engine, combustion, emission, thermo-hydraulic, and heat transfer performances of formulated mono or hybrid nanofluids are possible through the optimization and detailed documentation of applicable nanofluid preparation parameters (stirring time and speed, sonication duration, amplitude, mode, frequency, and surfactant concentration) employed in formulating mono or hybrid nanofluids. This proposed approach is expected to project a new frontier in nanofluid research and serve as a veritable working guide to the nanofluid research community.

Nanofluids (NFs) synthesized via the suspension of diverse nanoparticles into conventional thermal fluids are known to exhibit better thermal, optical, tribological, and convective properties, photothermal conversion, and heat transfer performance in comparison with traditional thermal fluids. Stability is pivotal to NF preparation, properties, performance, and application. NF preparation is not as easy as it appears, but complex in that obtaining a stable NF comes with the harnessing of different preparation parameters. These parameters include stirring duration and speed, volume, density, base fluid type, weight/volume concentration, density, nano-size, type of mono or hybrid nanoparticles used, type and quantity of surfactant used, and sonication time, temperature, mode, frequency, and amplitude. The effect of these preparation parameters on the stability of mono and hybrid NFs consequently affects the thermal, optical, rheological, and convective properties, and photothermal conversion and heat transfer performances of NFs in various applications. A comprehensive overview of the influence of these preparation characteristics on the thermal, optical, rheological, and properties, photothermal conversion, and heat transfer performance is presented in this paper. This is imperative due to the extensive study on mono and hybrid NFs and their acceptance as advanced thermal fluids along with the critical importance of stability to their properties and performance. The various preparation, characterization, and stability methods deployed in NF studies have been compiled and discussed herein. In addition, the effect of the various preparation characteristics on the properties (thermal, optical, rheological, and convective), photothermal conversion, and heat transfer performances of mono and hybrid NFs have been reviewed. The need to achieve optimum stability of NFs by optimizing the preparation characteristics is observed to be critical to the obtained results for the properties, photothermal conversion, and heat transfer performance studies. As noticed that the preparation characteristics data are not detailed in most of the published works and thus making it mostly impossible to reproduce NF experimental studies, stability, and results; future research is expected to address this gap. In addition, the research community should be concerned about the aging and reusability of NFs (mono and hybrid) in the nearest future.

In response to the issues of environment, climate, and human health coupled with the growing demand for energy due to increasing population and technological advancement, the concept of sustainable and renewable energy is presently receiving unprecedented attention. To achieve these feats, energy savings and efficiency are crucial in terms of the development of energy-efficient devices and thermal fluids. Limitations associated with the use of conventional thermal fluids led to the discovery of energy-efficient fluids called “nanofluids, which are established to be better than conventional thermal fluids. The current research progress on nanofluids has led to the development of the advanced nanofluids coined “hybrid nanofluids” (HNFs) found to possess superior thermal-optical properties than conventional thermal fluids and nanofluids. This paper experimentally explored the published works on the application of HNFs as thermal transport media in solar energy collectors and thermal energy storage. The performance of hybrid nano-coolants and nano-thermal energy storage materials has been critically reviewed based on the stability, types of hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) and mixing ratios, types of base fluids, nano-size of HNPs, thermal and optical properties, flow, photothermal property, functionalization of HNPs, magnetic field intensity, and orientation, and φ, subject to solar and thermal energy storage applications. Various HNFs engaged in different applications were observed to save energy and increase efficiency. The HNF-based media performed better than the mono nanofluid counterparts with complementary performance when the mixing ratios were optimized. In line with these applications, further experimental studies coupled with the influence of magnetic and electric fields on their performances were research gaps to be filled in the future. Green HNPs and base fluids are future biomaterials for HNF formulation to provide sustainable, low-cost, and efficient thermal transport and energy storage media.