The inclusion of hydroelectric power is crucial to Nigeria's overall energy mix, playing a significant role in electricity generation. However, the Shiroro hydro plant, one of the main facilities located on the Kaduna River, is currently facing operational obstacles due to deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate maintenance practices. To overcome these challenges and improve efficiency within Nigeria's hydroelectric power sector, a hybrid-optimization approach has been proposed. This study sought to enhance the efficiency of the Shiroro hydro plant by implementing this innovative method. To achieve our objectives and address pertinent research questions, a mixed research method combining primary and secondary data was employed. The analysis included hydropower modeling and hydro-turbine input-output modeling. Three optimizer models, namely the particle swarm optimizer (PSO), Ant colony optimizer (ACO), and Artificial bee colony optimizer (ABCO), were utilized to formulate objective functions and task representations. The study involved comparing the daily output and fitness response of the Shiroro hydro plant through swarm optimizer iterations. The findings revealed a clear correlation between the turbine's power output and the water flow rate and water column height, suggesting that altering these factors could significantly improve the plant's performance. The comparison of the PSO, ACO, and ABCO models demonstrated that PSO and ABCO generated optimal or near-optimal solutions, while ACO produced suboptimal results. Consequently, the study concluded that enhancing the Shiroro hydro plant's output was feasible by increasing the water flow rate and column height. Additionally, the utilization of PSO and ABCO models proved to be an effective means of accurately predicting the turbine's output. As a result, the study recommended the integration of hybrid optimization techniques to monitor and identify any deviations in the Shiroro hydro plant's daily power output. This approach would enable prompt maintenance to be carried out, preventing significant damage to the plant. Ultimately, this research contributes valuable insights into improving the efficiency and performance of Nigeria's Shiroro hydro plant.
The Group of Twenty (G20) has emerged as a pivotal forum for international cooperation, bringing together leaders from the world's major economies to address pressing global challenges. In this paper, we analyse the priorities of G20 leadership in fostering consensus and advancing collective action on key issues facing the global community. Drawing upon recent declarations, communiqués, and policy statements, we identify and examine the core areas of focus for G20 members, exploring both common ground and divergent perspectives. Our analysis reveals several recurring themes that underscore the G20's commitment to promoting economic stability, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. Addressing climate change and environmental sustainability emerges as a top priority, reflecting growing recognition of the urgent need for concerted action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, enhancing global health resilience and strengthening pandemic preparedness feature prominently on the agenda, as demonstrated by recent efforts to coordinate responses to the COVID-19 crisis and bolster health systems worldwide. Furthermore, the G20 remains committed to advancing trade and investment liberalization, promoting financial regulatory reform, and fostering innovation and digital transformation to drive economic recovery and prosperity. However, divergent views on issues such as trade imbalances, protectionism, and technology governance persist, posing challenges to consensus building and cooperation among member states.
The labeling of medications includes the provision of information and instructions as well as a unique identity for the medical product. It is one of the most important sources of information for patients. Good labeling practice is critical to ensuring patients' safe and effective use of products. Misreading the label, insufficient data on the label, inappropriate labeling font, writing style, and placement on the dosage form can all have disastrous consequences. The objective of this study was to assess medication labeling practices among community pharmacists in Libya. A simulated client method (SCM) was used, and the study was carried out in the City of Zawia, where 146 local pharmacies were visited over three months for the investigation (January to March 2023). These visits were made at random, without the pharmacist's knowledge. The findings revealed that all dispensed drugs were not labeled, and none of the practicing pharmacists in any pharmacies visited displayed any drug label, printed or handwritten. The majority of pharmacists did not address or explain significant information to the patient in an effective manner, which led to inappropriate and harmful consumption of medications. The absence of dispensed drug labels reduces the patient's knowledge of the necessary information about the medicine, resulting in a treatment deficit or unsuccessful therapy. Thus, more effort should be made by health authorities to instruct pharmacists to use and work according to international labeling standards or to establish local labeling specifications.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximate and micronutrient composition, physical, biochemical and sensory properties of the bread produced from blends of wheat, acha, uzaaku and unere composite flours. Six samples (A-F) were produced in the following ratios A= 100:0:0 (100% Wheat), B= 80% wheat flour, 10% acha, 5% uzaaku flour, 5% unere; C = 70% wheat flour, 10% acha, 10% uzaaku flour, 10% unere; D = 60% wheat flour, 15% acha, 15% uzaaku flour, 10% unere; E = 50% wheat flour, 20% acha, 15% uzaaku flour, 15% unere; F = 40% wheat flour, 20% acha, 20% uzaaku flour, 20% unere. The parameters were analyzed using standard methods. The proximate composition of the bread showed significant increase (p<0.05) in protein, fat, crude fibre, ash, and caloric (energy) value which ranged between 7.69-18.32%, 2.41-3.70%, 2.473.86%, 3.09-4.03%, and 285.25-304.06 (Kcal/kg) and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in moisture content (20.72-26.14%) and carbohydrate (49.37-58.20%), respectively. The micronutrient content showed increase in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B2, B3, A and C as the amount of substituted flour blends increases. The result of the physical properties showed decrease in the loaf weight, loaf height, loaf volume and specific volume ranged from 240.60-218.80 g, 3.33-6.66 cm, 155.00-205.00 cm3, 0.71-0.85 cm3/g, respectively. The result of the serum biochemical parameters of rats fed the composite bread samples showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP, Bilirubin, creatine, urea and albumin values, respectively. The sensory attributes of the bread showed significant differences (p<0.05) in colour, aroma, taste, crumb texture and general acceptability such that the values obtained ranged from 6.05-8.90, 6.008.45, 6.40-8.60, 5.85-8.30 and 6.10-8.35, respectively. The findings of the study showed that supplementation of wheat with 10% acha, 10% uzaaku and 10% unere flour blends could produce well accepted bread samples.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex and chronic illness requiring continuous medical care. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is commonly associated with obesity, hypertension, and a tendency to develop thrombosis, and an increase risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Diabesity is a term used to indicate the coexistence of obesity and DM. Diabesity increases as obesity is an emerging epidemic in modern societies, the co-incidence with DM is also rising, so a joint plan of anti-obesity and anti-hyperglycemia for the management approaches. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on body weight and glycemic response in obese Libyan patients with T2D at the National Diabetes Centre in Tripoli, between July 2013 and May 2022. This prospective study included obese adults with T2D who were newly prescribed GLP-1RA therapy for six months with dulaglutide once weekly or liraglutide once daily. The study included 170 diabetic patients who were started on GLP1-RA as add on therapy to their treatment, with a regular follow-up with dietitian and their physicians to adjust their glucose-lowering medications, then comparing the effect of these agents on body weight and the level of glycated hemoglobin before and after 24 weeks of treatment. Most of the patients (n = 99, 58.23%) were in the age period from 54 to 74 years old and 101 of whom were female subjects (59.4%), with a mean duration of DM equal to 8.8 ± 7.3 years. The patients were divided randomly into two groups, the first group included 110 patients who received liraglutide pens showed a significant reduction in HbA1c from 9.6% (± 1.54) to 7.4% (± 1.03) by p < 0.001 and a significant weight loss from 88.3 kg (± 10.68) to 80.8 kg (± 11.83) by p < 0.001. The reported adverse events were in 23 cases of minor hypoglycemia due to gastrointestinal upset. The other group included 60 patients for dulaglutide pens and showed significant decrease in HbA1c = 9.6% (± 1.54) to 7.1% (± 1.2) by p < 0.05 and a significant reduction of bodyweight from 88.3 kg (± 10.68) to 83.8 kg (± 16.3) by p < 0.05. The reported adverse events were mild transient gastrointestinal distress for the initial week of a start and then subside with regular intake. Whereas, 115 patients (67.6%) with HbA1c above 10.0% before starting therapy, no patient with HbA1c above 10.0% after six months of both GLP-RA agents therapy. Thus, the uses of GLP-RA as add-on therapy for obese patients with T2D significantly improved glycaemic control with less hypoglycaemia, accordingly, reduce insulin requirement for blood glucose control and loss in body weight. It can thus be concluded that GLP-1RA therapy is an effective treatment option when used in obese patients with DM.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Colon is part of the digestive system in the human body responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from food residues. There are many problems affecting the colon including irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, abscess, colitis and colon cancer which considered one of the most common diseases among the Libyan community. The aim of this study was to search the presence of colonic disease and the tendency of those diseases to transform into colonic cancer at Benghazi medical center in Benghazi-Libya. A survey was comprised of 15 questions concerning colon diseases, proper diagnosis and treatment type. The survey was distributed to the physician specialized in medicine at Benghazi medical center and they fill it voluntary. The initial part of the questionnaire designed to obtain demographic data concerning the physicians who diagnose the colon illness. The rest part of the questionnaire was concerning special questions to define frequency of the diagnosed disease. There were 20 participants at this study. The response to all questionnaires were collected and analyzed for drug use, patients and disease distribution. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the correct diagnosis, prescribing the appropriate treatment for the colon disease and using the medicine properly is one of the most important things that help in treating the disease and reducing its exacerbation. In some cases, eradication procedures may be required if the medicine is not sufficient to treat the disease without the need for operations
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technologies are well-known tools for microbial prevention in indoor public places which are frequently employed for disinfecting air, surfaces, and water. Such technologies have drawn a great deal of interest due to its potential application, especially in the domain of healthcare. This article discusses the shortcomings of chemical disinfectants and analyzes the current research standing on the development of various types of UV disinfection technologies for their prospective usage in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the article provides a thorough analysis and in-depth evaluation of the current antibacterial studies using UV lamps and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the treatment of frequently encountered pathogens associated with healthcare. According to the systematic review, UV-LEDs have shown to be a potential source for delivering disinfection which is equally efficient or more effective than traditionally used UV lamps. The findings also provide valuable considerations for potentially substituting conventional lamps with LEDs that would be less expensive, more efficient, more robust, non-fragile and safer. With greater effectiveness and advantages, UV-LEDs have shown to be the potential UV source that could fundamentally be able to transform the disinfection industry. Therefore, the study supports the employment of UV-LED technology as a better and workable approach for effective disinfection applications. The study also offers insightful information that will help to direct future studies in the domain of hygienic practices used in healthcare facilities.
Internet of things describes the network of physical objects such as sensors, receivers, transmitters and other technologies which are used in VCN. In Vehicular communication network two or more vehicles are communicate with each other. VCN use advanced technologies to solve transportation related problems like long traffic delays, road accidents and air pollution. IOT based technologies make vehicular network smart. In this chapter we reviewed about network resource allocation security techniques, challenges and also discuss how we can make vehicular communication network smarter. We reviewed about different models and schemes for V2V communication. These schemes were developed to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of resource in an intelligent transportation system.
Animals like plants are also medicinal agents for preventing and curing different health problems worldwide, practically in all human cultures. Zootherapy is ancient and has strong evidence of the medicinal use of animal resources. Different animal body parts and preparations are used in folk medicines. Zootherapy reveals that medical practitioners have always considered animals a source of surprising and numerous therapeutic effects. A high diversity of animals, their parts, and derivative products are used, and this is a heritage that could constitute a fundamental step in the discovery and isolation of natural extracts and new and low-cost alternative drugs from animals. About 12% of people worldwide are affected by different types of urolithiasis; the recurrence rate in females is 47-60%, and in males is 70-80%. According to WHO, 75% of the population relies on traditional medicines to prevent and cure diseases. Hence, there is a need to concentrate on all folk natural products effective in urolithiasis for their pharmacological evaluation and isolation of single drug molecules responsible for anti-urolithiasis activity to develop suitable formulations against urolithiasis.
Trachoma is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and one of the most common ocular contagious diseases, caused by different serovers such as A, B, Ba ,C of bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis that occurs recurrently. Most infants are adversely affected from chronic keratoconjunctivitis, leading to blindness in later life. Epidemiological studies in 2023 revealed that approximately 115.7 million people were at risk of trachoma, but presently it has been declined to almost 103.2 million. Basically this disease is predominant in least developed or developing nations with high poverty. Preventive measures being implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) , popularly known as ‘SAFE’ strategy: S for surgery, A for antibiotic dissemination, F for facial cleanliness, and E for environmental improvements. Now-a-days it is effectively and extensively applied; that’s why number of active patients are reduced drastically, but trachoma-free world creation should be the principal and researches will make it possible.
In some countries, a high percentage of the population relies on traditional plants for treating certain diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of G. alypum extract (GAE) and Alhagj marorum extract (AME) on lipid profiles in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats and on the blood pressure of experimentally induced hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 200 - 300 g were divided into five groups: group 1 received a normal diet (negative control), group 2 received a high lipid diet containing coconut oil (10 g/kg/day), cholesterol (4 g/kg/day) and cholic acid (0.20 g/kg/day) (positive control), group 3 received a high lipid diet together with clofibrate (50 mg/kg/day), group 4 received a high lipid diet together with AME (200 mg/kg/day) and group 5 received GAE (200 mg/kg/day). The experiment continued for two weeks, then the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for estimation of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. To induce hypertension, rats were divided into two groups (n = 8 in each group). Group 1 received normal saline (control) and Group 2 received dexamethasone (0.40 mg/kg, i.p.) for seven consecutive days. Later, the rats were anesthetized using thiopental and the carotid artery was cannulated for recording blood pressure. AME (40 mg/kg) or GAE (40 mg/kg) were injected through a cannula placed into the internal jugular vein at a dose volume of 0.1 ml. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after plant extract administration. The results showed that clofibrate GAE extract and ANE extract significantly decreased cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein as compared to high-lipid diet-treated rats. Data also indicated that administration of GAE or AME extract significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in experimentally induced hypertensive rats. In conclusion, GAE and AME have antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive activities and further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanism of these effects.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
X-ray crystallography has been central to the development of many fields of science over the past century. It has now matured to a point that as long as good-quality crystals are available, their atomic structure can be routinely determined in three dimensions. However, many samples in physics, chemistry, materials science, nanoscience, geology, and biology are noncrystalline, and thus their three-dimensional structures are not accessible by traditional x-ray crystallography. Overcoming this hurdle has required the development of new coherent imaging methods to harness new coherent x-ray light sources. Here we review the revolutionary advances that are transforming x-ray sources and imaging in the 21st century.
The CuS@reduced graphene oxide (CuS/RGO) hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized by facile hydrothermal method and used as a photoelectrode material in photovoltaic applications. In the hydrothermal route, RGO is formed by the reduction of GO with simultaneous formation of CuS/RGO nanocomposites. The CuS/RGO nanocomposites was investigated using powder XRD, TEM, HR-TEM, Raman, XPS, DRS UV–Vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD and TEM results suggest that CuS crystalline with individual spherical like homogeneous nanoparticles sizes in the range of 45–35 nm, which is distributed throughout the RGO sheets. We further construct the flexible photoelectrodes by using CuS and RGO and studied the photovoltaic performance. Photovoltaic parameters, such as short-circuit photocurrent density, open circuit voltage, fill factor and conversion efficiency were found to be 16 mA/cm2 , 0.71 V, 70.1% and 7.81% respectively, for CuS/RGO photoelectrode. The improved photo conversion efficiency of CuS/RGO is due to enhancing the electronic injection ability and reducing the photogenerated charge recombination. These photovoltaic results indicate a simple methodology for the low cost and effortless synthesis of an alternative CuS/RGO photoelectrode in high performance photovoltaic devices.
Despite the evolution of modern technology, the users of hearing aids do not realize the persistence of feedback, while wearing the device until the condition becomes worse. The feedback cancellation algorithms, instead of cancelling the acoustic feedback, limits speech intelligibility. The paper presents a novel method for estimation of SNR based adaptive-feedback equalizers (SBAFE) algorithm to develop an optimized hearing aid for the feedback less sound transmission and achieving better speech discrimination. The data gathered for the optimization is visualized and compared with the traditional technology, which provides the subjective and objective quality of the hearing aids.
Lexical and structural levels of language abound ambiguities that are good source of humor. Consequently, violations of the maxims of conversation are leeway to induce humor in any type of discourse. Adding these two precepts and considering pragmatics as its foundation became the bases in analysing the top-grossing films of Vice Ganda. It sought to identify the verbal linguistic jokes and ambiguities present in the top-grossing films of Vice Ganda; determine on how these ambiguities create devaluation of Grice’s maxims of conversation; and determine on how the ambiguities in verbal linguistic jokes and devaluation of Grice’s maxims of conversation were used as ingredients in Vice Ganda’s top-grossing films. Discourse analysis was used in the study and the analytical framework to induce humor by Taghiyev (2018) was used in analysing the corpora. A priori coding was used to identify the recurring ambiguities and devaluation of maxims in the films. Findings show that lexical-semantic and structural-syntactic ambiguities were present in the films. It was intentionally used in order to create humorous effect in the dialogues of the films. Moreover, the devaluation of the maxims of conversation quietly and unostentatiously, opting out, coping with a clash between maxims, and flouting was deemed an effective ingredient to make the films become comical and appealing to the audience.
Background: Phaseolus vulgaris, commonly known as kidney bean, has been studied previously for pharmacological properties such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Various extracts of the seeds have been researched except fixed oils. Objective: Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the behavioral activity of fixed oil extracted from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Methodology: Hole board, light and dark, stationary rod and open field tests were used for behavioral evaluation. Four groups were made with seven mice in each : (1) Control = Normal saline 2ml/kg (2) Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil = PVFO 2ml/kg (3) PVFO 4ml/kg (4) Diazepam (1mg/kg) as standard. All treatments were given orally 30 minutes before the performance of tests. In the hole board test, PVFO 4ml/kg decreased the number of head poking (p≤0.01). Results: In light and dark tests, PVFO in both doses reduced the time spent in the light compartment (p≤0.01). In the open field test, the number of peripheral lines crossed was decreased (p≤0.05), whereas in the stationary rod test, no effect was observed by any dose of PVFO. Conclusion: Results indicate that Phaseolus vulgaris fixed oil does not affect memory or learning in mice and may possess a dose-dependent sedative hypnotic effect.
Background and Objectives: The Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS) is a state-designed social security plan in which enrollees benefit from a shared pool of cash based on premiums paid by participants. The study aimed to assess the self-reported effectiveness, service utilization, level of satisfaction, and barriers among beneficiaries, and proffer solutions to improve the scheme. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire assesses the BHIS impact in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA through six sections capturing demographics, service utilization, satisfaction, financial implications, access barriers, and improvement solutions using standardized scales and matrices, preceded by informed consent. Data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Results: The major barriers to service utilization were constant unavailability of claimed services at accredited facilities (90.1%) excessive waiting time (76.4%), late/non-referral to specialized centers (67.5), rigid BHIS protocols (63.1%), insufficient insurance coverage (55.2%), complex billing systems (50.7%), and shortage of BHIS staff (50.0%). Conclusions: Possible solutions include the training and retraining of staff and service providers, providing subsidies for couples who are both government employees, initiating adequate supervision, monitoring, and feedback mechanisms, rapid referral protocols, and integrating and encouraging the establishment of health equity funds.
Currently, there are three popular theories of corporate governance widely applied in the field of jurisprudence worldwide. They are Agency Theory, Stewardship Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. Based on these theories, the article focuses on clarifying legal issues about corporate governance, thereby suggesting solutions to the improvement of corporate governance legislation in Vietnam at present time
It is virtually impossible to mention the phrase ‘project management’ without introducing the concept of risk management. As Hillson (2016, p.11) states, “risks [are] particularly relevant to projects” suggesting that effective management of risk is an integral ingredient for project success. The close link that exists between projects and risks may be deduced by the definition of the word ‘project’. In simple terms, projects refer to unique endeavours undertaken with the aim of achieving desired outcomes. These endeavours typically specific start and completion dates, and involve resource, time and cost constraints. These characteristics imply that projects are intended to deliver identifiable benefits to the organisation; these benefits, however, are not enjoyed immediately even if the project is completed. On the contrary, projects commonly create capabilities that call for operation or utilisation for the actual gains to be generated (Hillson, 2016 p.11). The interpretation of this is that projects have a risk element in that they contain a potential reward and possibility of loss. For this reason, project managers must be well-versed with risk management.
The wet coating of anhydrous borax powders with stearic acid (SA) to reverse their inherent hydrophilic surface properties was investigated. The coating procedure was based on the results from a previous study that revealed that the stearic acid solution (2 wt. % SA) mixed for 60 minute at 750 rpm on the magnetic stirrer was sufficient for the surface modification of anhydrous borax. For the experiments, stearic acid powders were first dissolved in water at 80 °C. The mixture obtained by adding anhydrous borax powders to this solution was vigorously mixed on a magnetic stirrer to initiation and completion the surface modification. Each of these solutions was then filtered using a filter paper to separate the undissolved particles, and the residue on paper was dried at 50 °C for 48 h until constant weighing was obtained. Wettability has been accepted as a key parameter for success in wet coating treatment. This parameter gained via the experimental characterization technique was used for an evaluation of the powder properties. The degree of wettability of anhydrous borax powders was measured and compared both after their surfaces were coated with stearic acid and after they were treated with water for a certain period of time in an aqueous environment. The stearic acid coating made the powder hydrophobic and this property was highly preserved after washing.