Community Mobilisation for Human Sample Collection in Sensitive Communities: Experiences from Granular Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Ekiti State, South West, Nigeria.

Community mobilisation is a vital process for raising awareness and increasing participation in healthcare interventions, research, and programmes that require human sample collection and mass management. In this report, we present the community mobilisation approach undertaken for the implementation of the operational mapping and assessment of granular schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The mobilisation was conducted in 177 communities/wards of the 16 local government areas.

Regeneration and Single Stage Batch Adsorber Design for Efficient Basic Blue-41 Dye Removal by Porous Clay Heterostructures Prepared from Al13 Montmorillonite and Pillared Derivatives.

Porous clay heterostructures are a hybrid precursor between the pillaring process and organoclays. In this study, the organoclay was substituted by an aluminium intercalated species clay or pillared alumina clays. A porous clay heterostructure was successfully achieved from an aluminium intercalated species clay, due to the easy exchange of the aluminium species by the cosurfactant and silica species.

Performance evaluation of the AiDx multi-diagnostic automated microscope for the detection of schistosomiasis in Abuja, Nigeria.

In this research, we report on the performance of automated optical digital detection and quantification of Schistosoma haematobium provided by AiDx NTDx multi-diagnostic Assist microscope. Our study was community-based, and a convenient sampling method was used in 17 communities in Abuja Nigeria, based on the disease prevalence information extracted from the baseline database on schistosomiasis, NTD Division, of the Federal Ministry of Health. At baseline, samples from 869 participants were evaluated of which 358 (34.

First mesomorphic and DFT characterizations for 3- (or 4-) -alkanoyloxy benzoic acids and their optical applications.

New liquid crystalline hydrogen bonded 3- (or 4)--alkanoyloxy benzoic acids were synthesized and probed theoretically and experimentally. The molecular structures of these compounds were elucidated by proton NMR, carbon-13 NMR and elemental analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the thermal and mesomorphic properties of all the symmetrical dimers that bearing identical alkanoyloxy chains.

Image-Based Awareness Campaign and Community Mobilization in the Control of Schistosomiasis.

Community awareness and participation in mass screening is critical for schistosomiasis control. This study assessed the impact of sharing anonymized image-based positive test results on the uptake of screening during community mobilization outreach. We conducted an observational study to compare the population response to standard and image-based strategies in 14 communities in Abuja, Nigeria.

Evaluation of Efflux-Mediated Resistance and Biofilm formation in Virulent Associated with Healthcare Infections.

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 strains in clinical infection. Phenotypic resistance in biotyped ( = 147) from diagnosed disease conditions was classified based on multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices and analysed with logistic regression for risk factors.

Enhancement Properties of Zr Modified Porous Clay Heterostructures for Adsorption of Basic-Blue 41 Dye: Equilibrium, Regeneration, and Single Batch Design Adsorber.

Zirconium porous clay heterostructures (Zr-PCH) were synthesized using intercalated clay minerals by zirconium species with different contents of zirconium. The presence of zirconium and silica species was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The insertion of zirconium improved the thermal stability, the specific surface area with a maximum of 950 m/g, and the acidity concentration of 0.

Novel Imidazole Liquid Crystals; Experimental and Computational Approaches.

The liquid crystalline materials named ()-4-(2-(4-oxo-5,5-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)methyl)phenyl and 4-(alkoxy)benzoate, , were synthesized and their mesomorphic behaviors were examined. The chemical structures of the produced compounds were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), NMR, and elemental analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy were used to investigate the mesomorphic properties of designed heterocyclic derivatives.

Novel sulphonic acid liquid crystal derivatives: experimental, computational and optoelectrical characterizations.

A novel liquid crystal homologous series based on the benzene sulphonic acid moiety, namely ()-4-((4-((4-(alkoxy)benzoyl)oxy)benzylidene)amino)benzenesulfonic acid (Sn), was synthesized and examined different experimental and theoretical measurements. The four synthesized members have terminally connected alkoxy chain groups, which vary between 6 and 12 carbons. FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analyses, were used to confirm their molecular structures.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Three-Ring Ester/Azomethine Materials.

New three-ring ester/azomethine homologues series, (E)-4-((4-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl 4-(alkoxy)benzoate , were prepared and their properties were investigated experimentally and theoretically. FT-IR, NMR, and elemental analyses were used to confirm the chemical structures of the synthesized compounds. The mesomorphic activities of the planned homologues were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy.

A novel cyclic dinuclear gold(I) complex induces anticancer activity an oxidative stress-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells.

A new dinuclear cyclic gold(I) complex [Au(DCyPA)](PF), 1, based on bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine (DCyPA) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. In the dinuclear complex cation [Au(DCyPA)], the two gold(I) ions are bridged by the ligand bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine (DCyPA) giving rise to a 16-membered ring centrosymmetric metallacycle. The cytotoxicity of the complex was evaluated against the triple-negative human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231.

Synthesis, Phase Behavior and Computational Simulations of a Pyridyl-Based Liquid Crystal System.

A homologous set of liquid crystalline materials () bearing Schiff base/ester linkages were prepared and investigated via experimental and theoretical techniques. Terminal flexible groups of different chain lengths were connected to the end of phenylbenzoate unit while the other end of molecules was attached to the heterocyclic pyridine moiety. The molecular structures of the designed molecules were evaluated by FT-IR, NMR spectroscopic analyses, whereas their mesomorphic properties were investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Al and Zr Porous Clay Heterostructures as Removal Agents of Basic Blue-41 Dye from an Artificially Polluted Solution: Regeneration Properties and Batch Design.

The removal of Basic Blue-41 dye molecules was carried out by using two doped porous clay heterostructures by aluminum (Al) or zirconium (Zr) species. The proposed method of synthesis showed its efficiency, starting from Al or Zr intercalated hydrolyzed species, prior to its reaction with dodecylamine (C amine) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source. The intercalated precursors and their porous clay heterostructures (PCH) derivatives were characterized by different techniques.

SMOTE-DRNN: A Deep Learning Algorithm for Botnet Detection in the Internet-of-Things Networks.

Nowadays, hackers take illegal advantage of distributed resources in a network of computing devices (i.e., botnet) to launch cyberattacks against the Internet of Things (IoT).

Machine learning approach for prediction of paracetamol adsorption efficiency on chemically modified orange peel.

High consumption of paracetamol (PCM) has led to the discharge of a large quantity of its metabolite into the environment and there is an urgent need to remove this harmful contaminant in a sustainable manner. In this work, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used as a Machine Learning tool for prediction of PCM adsorption efficiency on chemically modified orange peel (CMOP). Orange peel was chemically modified with orthophosphoric acid and then characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

Adaptation of the driver behaviour questionnaire and behavioural risk factors for traffic violation arrest and self-reported crash involvement among Nigerian drivers.

Context: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the driving behaviour of drivers in Africa.

Aims: This study aims to determine the behavioural risk factors for road crashes among Nigerian drivers.

Settings And Design: This is a case-control study.

Spectral characterization, thermochemical studies, periodic SAPT calculations and detailed quantum mechanical profiling various physico-chemical properties of 3,4-dichlorodiuron.

A set of experimental and computational techniques have been applied for the understanding of fundamental spectroscopic and reactive properties of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) compound. Experimental techniques employed in this study encompassed spectroscopic characterization via IR and Raman approaches, while optical properties were studied by measurements of UV/Vis spectra. The thermogravimetric analysis was also studied in order to analyze the stability of diuron.

Conformational profile, vibrational assignments, NLO properties and molecular docking of biologically active herbicide1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylurea.

1,1-Dimethyl-3-phenylurea (known as fenuron) which is a phenyl urea-based widely used herbicide exhibits interesting structural and conformational properties and a notable biological activity. A detailed analysis on the vibrational, molecular and electronic characteristics of fenuron has been carried out. Potential energy scans (PESs) performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory predicted two possible minima corresponding to the optimized anti and synforms resulting from the internal rotation about the N-C bond.

Trends and patterns of broadband Internet access speed in a Nigerian university campus: A robust data exploration.

Efficient broadband Internet access is required for optimal productivity in smart campuses. Besides access to broadband Internet, delivery of high speed and good Quality of Service (QoS) are pivotal to achieving a sustainable development in the area of education. In this data article, trends and patterns of the speed of broadband Internet provided in a Nigerian private university campus are largely explored.

Gender disparity in admissions into tertiary institutions: Empirical evidence from Nigerian data (2010-2015).

Gender equality in access to higher education is an important factor in building a sustainable world. Although a good number of countries across the globe have achieved parity in primary education between boys and girls, the target is yet to be widely attained at tertiary level of education. In this data article, empirical data on yearly admissions into accredited tertiary institutions in Nigeria are extensively explored to reveal the existence of gender gaps in the national admission process.

Influence of talent retention strategy on employees׳ attitude to work: Analysis of survey data.

In this data article, an analysis on the strategies for talent retention in Covenant University and the corresponding effects on employees' attitude to work was presented. The study population included the academic staff of Covenant University, which has a population of 530 employees, but a sample size was determined using Yamen׳s formula. The data obtained through survey questionnaires were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Exploration of daily Internet data traffic generated in a smart university campus.

In this data article, a robust data exploration is performed on daily Internet data traffic generated in a smart university campus for a period of twelve consecutive (12) months (January-December, 2017). For each day of the one-year study period, Internet data download traffic and Internet data upload traffic at Covenant University, Nigeria were monitored and properly logged using required application software namely: FreeRADIUS; Radius Manager Web application; and Mikrotik Hotspot Manager. A comprehensive dataset with detailed information is provided as supplementary material to this data article for easy research utility and validation.

Datasets linking ethnic perceptions to undergraduate students learning outcomes in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution.

This data article represents academic performances of undergraduate students in a select Nigerian Private Tertiary institution from 2008 to 2013. The 2413 dataset categorizes students with respect to their origins (ethnicity), pre-university admission scores and Cumulative Grade Point Averages earned at the end of their study at the university. We present a descriptive statistics showing mean, median, mode, maximum, minimum, range, standard deviation and variance in the performances of these students and a boxplot representation of the performances of these students with respect to their origins.

Comparative assessment of data obtained using empirical models for path loss predictions in a university campus environment.

Empirical models are most widely used for path loss predictions because they are simple, easy to use, and require less computational efficiency when compared to deterministic models. A number of empirical path loss models have been developed for efficient radio network planning and optimization in different types of propagation environments. However, data that prove the suitability of these models for path loss predictions in a typical university campus propagation environment are yet to be reported in the literature.

The role of gender on academic performance in STEM-related disciplines: Data from a tertiary institution.

This data article presents data of academic performances of undergraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in Covenant University, Nigeria. The data shows academic performances of Male and Female students who graduated from 2010 to 2014. The total population of samples in the observation is 3046 undergraduates mined from Biochemistry (BCH), Building technology (BLD), Computer Engineering (CEN), Chemical Engineering (CHE), Industrial Chemistry (CHM), Computer Science (CIS), Civil Engineering (CVE), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Information and Communication Engineering (ICE), Mathematics (MAT), Microbiology (MCB), Mechanical Engineering (MCE), Management and Information System (MIS), Petroleum Engineering (PET), Industrial Physics-Electronics and IT Applications (PHYE), Industrial Physics-Applied Geophysics (PHYG) and Industrial Physics-Renewable Energy (PHYR).