Screening of Rodents from Rural Communities of Lagos and Ogun State Nigeria of Lassa Virus RNA

Background: In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of Lassa fever cases resulting from the several episodes of Lassa fever epidemics ravaging Nigeria and other West African countries. The presence of Lassa virus in rodents other than the major reservoir (Mastomys natalensis) has been a public health concern as to the actual burden of the disease. It is therefore of a public health necessity to explore the LASV RNA habouring potential of several species of rodents in endemic as well as non-endemic areas for proper prevention of emergence of outbreaks in non-endemic areas. Objectives: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of LASV RNA in different species of rodents in Ikorodu, Lagos state and Abeokuta, Ogun state. Methods: A total of ninety one (91) rodents were captured from Ikorodu, Lagos State (61 rodents) and Abeokuta, Ogun State (30 rodents), euthanized, bled, and plasma obtained for the detection of LASV RNA by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: A total of 91 rodents consisting of 77 Rattus rattus and 14 Crocidura spp. The S segment of LASV RNA was not in any of the 91 rodents’ plasma samples. Conclusion: The rodents captured within the rural communities of Ikorodu, Lagos State and Abeokuta, Ogun State were found not to habour the LASV RNA. This study is limited by the relatively small sample size. Similar studies should be encouraged both in endemic and non-endemic areas in order to understand the actual burden of Lassa fever as well as put into check future epidemics.

Comparative Study of the Socioeconomic Characteristics and Digital Literacy Level of Agricultural Extension Personnel in Imo and Ebonyi States, South-East, Nigeria

The study comparatively analysed the socioeconomic characteristics and digital literacy level of Agricultural Extension personnel (AEP) in Ebonyi and Imo States, South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in Ebonyi and Imo States, and to ascertain the digital literacy level of AEP in the studied states. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 312 Agricultural Extension personnel (132 from Ebonyi State Agricultural Development Program and 180 from Imo State Agricultural Development Program) for the study. Data were collected through the use of validated and structured questionnaire, and administered through the help of well-trained enumerators. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages mean score, standard deviation and weighted mean. Findings indicated that they were more male in the both States (55.3% and 57.8%) for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively and that the average age of AEP in Ebonyi and Imo States were 44.7 years and 49.2 years respectively. It was further revealed that the majority (77.3% and 82.8%) had B.Sc./HND as their highest academic qualifications, belonged to professional organisations (62.1% and 75%), and were earning an average monthly income of N58,798 and N62,648 for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Also, it was revealed that their mean years of service were 12.4 years and 13.4 years for Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. Almost all of them (87.9% and 95.0%) own a smartphone, had access to the internet (80.3% and 90.0%), but do not own a laptop/ipad (82.6% and 72.8%) for Ebon-yi and Imo State respectively. Results further revealed that Agricultural extension personnel in both Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had low digital literacy level ( = 2.41 and 2.32). The study concluded that AEP in Ebonyi and Imo State respectively had similar socioeconomic characteristics and low level of digital literacy. The study recommended that the management of ADPs in both Ebonyi and Imo State should ensure the training of AEP in digital skills to enhance their digital literacy level to enable them use digital technologies in their work.

Entanglement and Volume Monogamy Features of Permutation Symmetric N-Qubit Pure States with N-Distinct Spinors: GHZ and States

We explore the entanglement features of pure symmetric N-qubit states characterized by N-distinct spinors with a particular focus on the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states and , an equal superposition of W and obverse W states. Along with a comparison of pairwise entanglement and monogamy properties, we explore the geometric information contained in them by constructing their canonical steering ellipsoids. We obtain the volume monogamy relations satisfied by states as a function of number of qubits and compare with the maximal monogamy property of GHZ states.

Enhancing Private Healthcare Effectiveness in Lagos State, Nigeria: An Overview of the Effect of Quality Improvement Initiatives and Implications for Sustainable Healthcare Delivery

Background: Nigeria, a nation grappling with rapid population growth, economic intricacies, and complex healthcare challenges, particularly in Lagos State, the economic hub and most populous state, faces the challenge of ensuring quality healthcare access. The overview of the effect of quality improvement initiatives in this paper focuses on private healthcare providers in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study assesses the impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects on these private healthcare facilities. It explores the level of participation, perceived support, and tangible effects of the initiatives on healthcare delivery within private healthcare facilities. It also examines how these initiatives influence patient inflow and facility ratings, and bring about additional benefits and improvements, provides insights into the challenges faced by private healthcare providers in implementing quality improvement projects and elicits recommendations for improving the effectiveness of such initiatives. Methods: Qualitative research design was employed for in-depth exploration, utilizing semi-structured interviews. Private healthcare providers in Lagos involved in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project were purposively sampled for diversity. Face-to-face interviews elicited insights into participation, perceived support, and project effects. Questions covered participation levels, support perception, changes observed, challenges faced, and recommendations. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes from interview transcripts. Adherence to ethical guidelines ensured participant confidentiality and informed consent. Results: Respondents affirmed active involvement in the SP4FP Quality Improvement Project, echoing literature emphasizing private-sector collaboration with the public sector. While acknowledging positive influences on facility ratings, respondents highlighted challenges within the broader Nigerian healthcare landscape affecting patient numbers. Respondents cited tangible improvements, particularly in staff management and patient care processes, validating the positive influence of quality improvement projects. Financial constraints emerged as a significant challenge, aligning with existing literature emphasizing the pragmatic difficulties faced by private healthcare providers. Conclusions: This study illuminates the complex landscape of private healthcare provision in Lagos State, emphasizing the positive impact of donor-funded quality improvement projects. The findings provide nuanced insights, guiding policymakers, healthcare managers, and practitioners toward collaborative, sustainable improvements. As Nigeria progresses, these lessons will be crucial in shaping healthcare policies prioritizing population well-being.

Responses of Annual Variability of Vegetation NPP to Climate Variables Using Satellite Techniques in Gadarif State, Sudan

Plants play an essential role in matter and energy transformations and are key messengers in the carbon and energy cycle. Net primary productivity (NPP) reflects the capability of plants to transform solar energy into photosynthesis. It is very sensible for factors affecting on vegetation variability such as climate, soils, plant characteristics and human activities. So, it can be used as an indicator of actual and potential trend of vegetation. In this study we used the actual NPP which was derived from MODIS to assess the response of NPP to climate variables in Gadarif State, from 2000 to 2010. The correlations between NPP and climate variables (temperature and precipitation) are calculated using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and ordinary least squares regression. The main results show the following 1) the correlation Coefficient between NPP and mean annual temperature is Somewhat negative for Feshaga, Rahd, Gadarif and Galabat areas and weakly negative in Faw area;2) the correlation Coefficient between NPP and annual total precipitation is weakly negative in Faw, Rahd and Galabat areas and somewhat negative in Galabat and Rahd areas. This study demonstrated that the correlation analysis between NPP and climate variables (precipitation and temperature) gives reliably result of NPP responses to climate variables that is clearly in a very large scale of study area.

Travel-Limiting Disabilities in the United States: Why Accessibility Matters?

This study evaluates the distribution of travel-limiting disabilities across genders and geographic locations in the United States. This study aims to describe and compare the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the people with and without travel-limiting disabilities across geographic locations and gender. The study further evaluates the trip purpose and impact of Covid-19 fourth wave pandemic on the use of public transit and travel to physical workplace for the people with and without travel-limiting disabilities across gender and geographic locations. The study uses the 2022 weighted National Household Travel Survey dataset and employs descriptive statistics. Results reaffirm the findings from previous literature that there are more people with travel-limiting disabilities in urban areas and among women. Over 50 percent of people aged 65 and above have a form of travel-limiting disabilities. The most trip for people with travel-limiting disabilities is made for shopping and medical purposes. Across all categories, rural areas, urban areas, male and female for the people without travel-limiting disabilities, COVID-19 fourth wave did not change the pattern of trips made to physical workplace as pre-COVID-19 era. This pattern is also observable for the people with travel-limiting disabilities in rural and urban areas. Females with travel-limiting disabilities reported making less trips to physical workplaces while male reported doing the same as before COVID-19 era. The study concludes that the quantification of travel-limiting disabilities across geographic location and gender is vital in disability study and could drive policy implementation for improved accessibility for the vulnerable population.

Coping with the Impact of Climate Change: A Dive into Precision Agriculture in the United States

With the continued increase in the number of people that are food insecure globally, which could be increasing because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, leading to reduction in international agribusinesses, coupled with drastic climate change exacerbating the problem of food insecurity, there is a constant need to come up with innovative approaches to solve this global issue. In this article, we articulated how precision agriculture can be a tool for ensuring food security in the United States. This study aims to reiterate the significance of precision agriculture in solving global food insecurity.

Bound State Description of Particles from a Quantum Field Theory of Fermions and Bosons, Compatible with Relativity

Both, the dilemma to find a quantum field theory consistent with Einstein’s law of relativity and the problem to describe existing particles as bound states of matter has been solved by calculating bound state matrix elements from a dual fermion-boson Lagrangian. In this formalism, the fermion binding energies are compensated by boson energies, indicating that particles can be generated out of the vacuum. This yields quantitative solutions for various mesons ω (0.78 GeV) - Υ (9.46 GeV) and all leptons e, μ and τ, with uncertainties in the extracted properties of less than 1‰. For transparency, a Web-page with the address htpps://h2909473.stratoserver.net has been constructed, where all calculations can be run on line and also the underlying fortran source code can be inspected.

Photoelectric State with Long-Term Relaxation in CdTe:(Ag, Cu, Cd) and Sb2Se3:Se Photovoltaic Films

The results of an experimental study of long-term relaxation of the photoelectret state of polycrystalline CdTe:(Ag, Cu, Cd) and Sb2Se3:Se films with an anomalous photovoltaic property are presented. In such films, the residual photovoltage is caused by the separation of photocarriers by the built-in electrostatic field of the near-surface region of space charges and their asymmetric capture by deep levels of impurities or complexes, including impurity atoms and intrinsic defects, both in the bulk and on the surface of crystal grains. It has been shown that in activated films, a two-step exponential temporary relaxation of the initial photovoltage of the order of VAPV ≈ (500-600) V is detected, and only 10% of it experiences long-term relaxation (t ≈ 100-120 min).

Acceptability of Immunization against COVID-19 by the Populations of the Kasenga State Health Area in the Uvira Health Zone, DR Congo

Introduction: COVID-19 was an emerging disease putting all public health systems in countries around the world in a state of emergency. To be able to prevent its spread and morbidity and mortality, several appropriate strategies were necessary, such as vaccination. The latter has been the subject of controversy. The objective of the present study is therefore to evaluate the factors associated with the acceptance of this vaccine within the population of the Kasenga State Health Area. A result which will shed light on future strategies to be put in place for possible new vaccines. Methodology: Is a prospective and analytical cross-sectional study conducted over a period of approximately 1 month from January 5 to February 5, 2024. A survey questionnaire in Kobotoolbox was useful for collecting data. STATA software was very important for us in analyzing the data collected. Results: Prevalence of vaccination against COVID-19 among the population of the Kasenga State Health Area is 37.5% (28.4 - 45.6). The study revealed that reluctance is observed among most of the population for different reasons, including, first and foremost, the deliberate aspect of not wanting to take the vaccine (46.6%) and rumors that this antigen is dangerous and harmful (32.9%). 72.5% of respondents believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is a fabrication, unhealthy and that the disease itself never existed. The study proved that there was a statistical relationship between age (p = 0.001) and adherence to vaccination. And the refusal of respondents to recommend the vaccine to loved ones was a factor associated with non-adherence to vaccination (OR = 7.901, 95% IC [3.028 - 20.615], p = 0.000). Conclusion: Vaccination against COVID-19 was not well accepted by the population of the study site. Raising public awareness and involving community leaders and political-administrative authorities, which has not been done well, would play an important role in the good perception of the disease, of the vaccine and therefore in its adherence.

Rigidity Symmetry Line for Thermodynamic Fluid Equations-of-State

We report progress towards a modern scientific description of thermodynamic properties of fluids following the discovery (in 2012) of a coexisting critical density hiatus and a supercritical mesophase defined by percolation transitions. The state functions density ρ(p,T), and Gibbs energy G(p,T), of fluids, e.g. CO2, H2O and argon exhibit a symmetry characterised by the rigidity, ω = (dp/dρ)T, between gaseous and liquid states along any isotherm from critical (Tc) to Boyle (TB) temperatures, on either side of the supercritical mesophase. Here, using experimental data for fluid argon, we investigate the low-density cluster physics description of an ideal dilute gas that obeys Dalton’s partial pressure law. Cluster expansions in powers of density relate to a supercritical liquid-phase rigidity symmetry (RS) line (ω = ρrs(T) = RT) to gas phase virial coefficients. We show that it is continuous in all derivatives, linear within stable fluid phase, and relates analytically to the Boyle-work line (BW) (w = (p/ρ)T = RT), and to percolation lines of gas (PB) and liquid (PA) phases by: ρBW(T) = 2ρPA(T) = 3ρPB(T) = 3ρRS(T)/2 for T TB. These simple relationships arise, because the higher virial coefficients (bn, n ≥ 4) cancel due to clustering equilibria, or become negligible at all temperatures (0 T TB) within the gas phase. The Boyle-work line (p/ρBW)T is related exactly at lower densities as T → TB, and accurately for liquid densities, by ρBW(T) = −(b2/b3)T. The RS line, ω(T) = RT, defines a new liquid-density ground-state physical constant (ρRS(0) = (2/3)ρBW(0) for argon). Given the gas-liquid rigidity symmetry, the entire thermodynamic state functions below TB are obtainable from b2(T). A BW-line ground-state crystal density ρBW(0) can be defined by the pair potential minimum. The Ar2 pair potential, ∅ij(rij) determines b2(T) analytically for all T. This report, therefore, advances the salient objective of liquid-state theory: an argon p(ρ,T) Equation-of-state is obtained from ∅ij(rij) for all fluid states, without any adjustable parameters.

Infinitely Many Solutions and a Ground-State Solution for Klein-Gordon Equation Coupled with Born-Infeld Theory

In this paper, we intend to consider a kind of nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation coupled with Born-Infeld theory. By using critical point theory and the method of Nehari manifold, we obtain two existing results of infinitely many high-energy radial solutions and a ground-state solution for this kind of system, which improve and generalize some related results in the literature.

融合Graph state LSTM与注意力机制的跨句多元关系抽取

已有的跨句多元关系抽取工作将输入文本表示为集成句内和句间依赖关系的复杂文档图,但图中包含的噪声信息会影响关系抽取的效果。针对这种情况,该文利用Graph state LSTM获得上下文信息,再分别利用词级注意力机制或位置感知的注意力机制,自动聚焦在对关系抽取起到决定性作用的关键词上,降低噪声信息的影响。并且比较了两种注意力机制对使用Graph state LSTM进行关系抽取的影响。通过在一个重要的精确医学数据集上进行实验,验证了该文所提出模型的有效性。

State of China's climate in 2022

2022年我国气候暖干特征明显,年平均气温偏高0.62℃,位居1961年以来历史第二高;年降水量偏少5%,为2012年以来最少,冬春季降水偏多,夏秋季降水偏少.汛期(5-9月)降水量偏少11.9%,位居1961年以来第3少,中东部降水距平呈“北多南少”分布.雨季进程偏早,雨量空间差异大,华南前汛期,华北雨季,东北雨季降水量偏多,而长江中下游和江淮梅雨降水偏少.华南,东北洪涝灾害重,南方夏秋连旱严重,中东部遭遇最强高温过程,登录台风异常偏少.

The Rethinking of “State Shinto” in Japanese Academia After World War Ⅱ

The Shinto Directive,the official source of the term“State Shinto”,on the one hand defines the concept of“State Shinto”in a narrow sense,and on the other hand reveals its profound connotation and generalized extension.In 1945,after the Allied Forces issued the Shinto Directive,Japanese academia carried out in-depth research around“State Shinto”,and gradually formed the“two camps”consisting of scholars who advocated the theory of“State Shinto in a Broad Sense”and insisted on the theory of“State Shinto in a Narrow Sense”.In the process of promoting the democratic reform,the theory of“State Shinto in a Broad Sense”gradually developed into the general theory of“State Shinto”after the war;With the continuous advancement of empirical research,the“State Shinto in a Narrow Sense”gradually rose.While enriching the post-war research of“State Shinto”,it also provided a theoretical basis for historical revisionists to distort and cover up history.Finally,under the situation that the trend of Japanese political right deviation is increasingly intensified,the limitations of the“broad sense”and“narrow sense”camps are broken,and the study of“State Shinto”has entered a new stage.

锂离子电池健康状态估计及寿命预测研究进展综述

随着锂离子电池的应用越来越广泛,锂电池健康状态的精确估计和剩余寿命的实时预测对于锂电池系统的安全运行和降低运维成本具有重要意义。锂电池内部复杂的物理化学反应和外部复杂工作条件,使得实现精准的健康状态估计和寿命预测具有挑战性。该文综述近年来锂电池健康状态估计和剩余使用寿命预测方法的研究现状,分析基于物理/数学模型、数据驱动、模型法和数据驱动融合,以及多种数据驱动融合的锂电池健康状态估计方法的优缺点及适用条件,并对比分析不同数据驱动类型的锂电池寿命预测方法。指出锂电池健康状态估计及寿命预测尚存在的问题,并对未来研究方向进行展望,对完善锂电池健康状态估计和寿命预测算法理论体系、指导实际应用技术具有重要意义。

生防枯草芽孢杆菌Czk1固体发酵工艺条件优化

枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)Czk1是一株具广谱拮抗、促生和诱导植株产生抗病性的根际益生菌。为了全面资源化利用农业废弃物中的有机养分和促进对植物土传病害的生物防治,本研究以Czk1为研究对象,以鸡粪为底肥,分别利用玉米秸秆、菌糠、椰糠堆肥为原料,采用液固两相发酵工艺,以稀释平板菌落计数法测定活菌总数和芽孢数,经过单因素和正交试验方法,明确Czk1固体发酵物料的配方、工艺参数和培养条件。得出Czk1固体发酵的最优条件:最佳原料为菌糠鸡粪堆肥,Czk1接种重量为10%,黄豆粉添加量为10%,含水量为40%,发酵温度为37℃,翻抛1次/72h,在此条件下,Czk1菌株中的芽孢活菌数量总量可以达到8.63×10^(8)CFU/g,芽孢数为8.37×10^(8)CFU/g。其次,发酵效果较佳的原料为秸秆鸡粪堆肥,Czk1接种量为10%,添加5%黄豆粉,40%含水量,发酵温度为37℃,翻抛1次/72 h,此条件下,Czk1接种菌株中的活菌数量总量可达到6.53×10^(8)CFU/g,芽孢数为5.97×10^(8)CFU/g;另外,在此配方条件下再添加30%菌糠,Czk1菌株的活菌数量总量及芽孢数分别可达到8.70×10^(8)CFU/g和6.90×10^(8)CFU/g。4种发酵生物肥原料的理化性质测定表明,其有机质含量、碳氮比均有较大差异,其中以鸡粪为原料其pH、全磷和全钾含量均最高,碳氮比最低,氮、磷、钾总含量均高于秸秆、椰糠和菌糠;秸秆为原料其电导率、有机质含量最高;椰糠为原料其全氮含量最高,菌糠为原料碳氮比最高。不同鸡粪与菌糠、秸秆及椰糠组合的生物有机肥的种子发芽指数均大于80%。因此,枯草芽孢杆菌Czk1具有良好的开发利用价值,选择合适的发酵生产条件可将农业废弃物制备出高质量的生物有机肥。

Four-Electron Systems in the Impurity Hubbard Model. Second Triplet State. Spectra of the System in the ν-Dimensional Lattice Zν

We consider an energy operator of four-electron system in the Impurity Hubbard model with a coupling between nearest-neighbors. The spectrum of the systems in the second triplet state in a ν-dimensional lattice is investigated. For investigation the structure of essential spectra and discrete spectrum of the energy operator of four-electron systems in an impurity Hubbard model, for which the momentum representation is convenient. In addition, we used the tensor products of Hilbert spaces and tensor products of operators in Hilbert spaces and described the structure of essential spectrum and discrete spectrum of the energy operator of four-electron systems in an impurity Hubbard model for the second triplet state of the system. The investigations show that the essential spectrum of the system consists of the union of no more than sixteen segments, and the discrete spectrum of the system consists of no more than eleven eigenvalues.

Nonstandard Unitary Transformations of Quantum States

In quantum optics, unitary transformations of arbitrary states are evaluated by using the Taylor series expansion. However, this traditional approach can become cumbersome for the transformations involving non-commuting operators. Addressing this issue, a nonstandard unitary transformation technique is highlighted here with new perspective. In a spirit of “quantum” series expansions, the transition probabilities between initial and final states, such as displaced, squeezed and other nonlinearly transformed coherent states are obtained both numerically and analytically. This paper concludes that, although this technique is novel, its implementations for more extended systems are needed.

国有企业的低碳双元战略发展路径——基于上海申通地铁集团的案例研究

在中国特色社会主义经济制度下,国有企业始终肩负着发展经济和服务社会的双重使命。根据企业所处的行业特点与所承担的业务特征,国有企业很可能面临高耗能的挑战。选取上海申通地铁集团有限公司作为典型案例,基于双元理论探究国有企业低碳双元战略的动态发展路径。研究发现,国有企业的低碳发展首先是将低碳理念融入其“经济—社会”双元目标,形成具有经济属性的成本性和效益性低碳导向,以及具有社会属性的政策性和公益性低碳导向。基于此,国有企业开发低碳双元战略实践,包括具有经济属性的低碳成本管理和低碳业务投资,以及具有社会属性的低碳政策落实和产业低碳引领。此外,知识和资源开发促进了低碳双元战略实践的相互转化,实现了低碳双元战略的协调统一。研究结论既为国有企业低碳发展中的协同辩证关系提供了新的理解,又拓展了双元理论在企业低碳管理领域的应用。