A Comparative Assessment of Disability Levels among Nigerian Outpatients with Schizophrenia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Chronic illnesses are often associated with functional disability, thus compromising the ability to carry out everyday activities of daily living. The degree of disability depends on the severity and the type of illness experienced. Studies that compare the level of disability between people with chronic medical conditions and mental illnesses in North-Central Nigeria are scarce. This study aims to compare the disability levels between people with schizophrenia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) attending outpatient clinics at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, north-central Nigeria, and evaluate the factors associated with these conditions. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with a total of 600 patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and T2DM, attending the Psychiatric and medical outpatient clinics of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, north-central Nigeria, between June 2017 and November 2017. The study assessed Psychotic and non-psychotic symptoms by applying the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) among those with schizophrenia. We evaluated the level of disability by using World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule version 2.0 (WHODAS 2.00). Results: Disability was significantly higher among respondents with schizophrenia than those with T2DM. This difference occurred across all the domains except domain 2 (moving around). Marital status, living situation, occupation, and treatment adherence were significant common factors associated with disability in these conditions. In contrast, age, educational status, income level, and duration of illness were significantly associated with disability among respondents with T2DM only. Conclusion: Disability and its associated factors among people with chronic diseases, if identified early and proper interventions instituted, disability can be avoided or minimized among people with chronic illnesses.

A comparative assessment of alternative approaches to sustainabl edevelopment

Environmentalists'approach to sustainable development is essentially different fromeconomists'in that environmental sustainability is set as a condition in biophysical limits. Furthermorethere exist alternative strategies for achieving environmental sustainability. This paper intends to assessand compare these alternatives in the context of environmental resource stock and economic outcomes , sothat the circumstances in which a particular strategy is preferred.would be suggested.

Performance assessment of simple and modified cycle turboshaft gas turbines

This paper focuses on investigations encompassing comparative assessment of gasturbine cycle options.More specifically,investigation was caried out of technical performanceof turboshaft engine cycles based on existing simple cycle(SC)and its projected modifiedcycles for civil helicopter application.Technically,thermal efficiency,specific fuel consump-tion,and power output are of paramount importance to the overall performance of gas urbineengines.In course of carrying out this research,turbomatch software established at CranfieldUniversity based on gas turbine theory was applied to conduct simulation of a simple cycle(baseline)two-spool helicopter turboshaft engine model with free power turbine.Similarly,some modified gas urbine cycle configurations incoporating unconventional components,such as engine cycle with low pressure compressor(LPC)zero-staged,recuperated enginecycle,and intercooled/recuperated(ICR)engine cycle,were also simulated.In doing so,designpoint(DP)and off-design point(OD)performances of the engine models were established.Thepercentage changes in performance parameters of the modified cycle engines over the simplecycle were evaluated and it was found that to a large extent,the modified engine cycles withunconventional components exhibit better performances in terms of thermal efficiency andspecific fuel consumption than the traditional simple cycle engine.This research made use ofpublic domain open source references.

Research methods in complementary and alternative medicine： an integrative review

The scientific literature presents a modest amount ot evidence m the use or complementary ana al[erna- tire medicine （CAM）. On the other hand, in practice, relevant results are common. The debates among CAM practitioners about the quality and execution of scientific research are important, Therefore, the aim of this review is to gather, synthesize and describe the differentiated methodological models that encompass the complexity of therapeutic interventions. The process of bringing evidence-based medicine into clinical practice in CAM is essential for the growth and strengthening of complementary medicines worldwide.