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Social Implications of COVID-19 Deaths: Analyzing Race, Ethnicity, Socio-Economic Conditions, Gender, and Age for the US
Get PDFThis paper examines two CDC data sets in order to provide a comprehensive overview and social implications of COVID-19 related deaths within the United States over the first eight months of 2020. By analyzing the first data set during this eight-month period with the variables of age, race, and individual states in the United States, we found correlations between COVID-19 deaths and these three variables. Overall, our multivariable regression model was found to be statistically significant. When analyzing the second CDC data set, we used the same variables with one exception; gender was used in place of race. From this analysis, it was found that trends in age and individual states were significant. However, since gender was not found to be significant in predicting deaths, we concluded that, gender does not play a significant role in the prognosis of COVID-19 induced deaths. However, the age of an individual and his/her state of residence potentially play a significant role in determining life or death. Socio-economic analysis of the US population confirms Qualitative socio-economic Logic based Cascade Hypotheses (QLCH) of education, occupation, and income affecting race/ethnicity differently. For a given race/ethnicity, education drives occupation then income, where a person lives, and in turn his/her access to healthcare coverage. Considering socio-economic data based QLCH framework, we conclude that different races are poised for differing effects of COVID-19 and that Asians and Whites are in a stronger position to combat COVID-19 than Hispanics and Blacks
Effective and Efficient LDA+ELM Model for Supervised Classification of Brain Tumor Types Using 2D MRI Scans
Get PDFApplication of machine learning in multiclass classification of brain tumor types has contributed to the development of computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system that can potentially enhance accuracy and speed up diagnosis of the disease. LDA+ELM model with different activation functions were investigated to achieve the optimum performances in terms of accuracy, Kappa statistic, sensitivity, precision, F-measure, training time and test time. We also proposed a user-friendly GUI in characterizing brain tumor types using MR images. First, a total of 3064 slices of CE T1-weighted brain MR images with ground truth were downloaded from a free online database. The manually segmented tumor region was augmented and then undergo several feature extraction techniques. All the feature descriptors obtained were then concatenated, followed by LDA dimensionality approach. Performance of different number of LDA features and ELM activation functions were investigated by repeated training and test. The ELM output of training data for each class was used to fit GMM and these probabilistic models used to estimate posterior probabilities of test data. LDA+ELM model with 5 LDA feature input, utilizing sigmoid function as hidden nodes activation functions achieves the best generalization performance with accuracy of 98.92% and corresponding F-scores for meningioma, glioma and pituitary tumor of 97.81%, 99.1% and 99.5% respectively. The proposed method (LDA+ELM) model performs better compared to other previous works using the same dataset and performing the same classification task
Maximum Flow Evacuation Planning Problem with Non-Conservation Flow Constraint
Get PDFThe optimization model of the maximum flow evacuation planning problem efficiently sends a maximum number of evacuees along with the routes of their transshipment from the disastrous zone, the source, to the safe zone, the sink, over a given time horizon. The limitation of the problem with the flow conservation constraint at the intermediate nodes is that even one more evacuee cannot be sent out from the source, if the evacuee cannot reach the sink. However, evacuators must attempt to send out as many evacuees as possible to safer places despite the sink. There may be relatively safe places in between the source and the sink. The limitation is due to the flow conservation constraint. In this paper, we remodel the problem with non-conservation flow constraint and propose an efficient algorithm. With this approach one can send as many evacuees as in the flow conservation case from the source to the sink. Moreover, a maximum number of evacuees can also be sent to the relatively safe places in between the source and the sink. The routes of their transshipment can also be identified
Notes on the Native History of Cuba and the Dominican Republic
Get PDFCaribbean history and ethnocultural evolution since the late nineteenth-century has been restructured to strategize a new scholarly native. This study examines how Cuba and the Dominican Republic became cultural markets for such trend. It also reviews the hypothetical extinction of the Caribbean naturals as it potentialized a highly commercialized era as theorists developed unique tools to implement an academic discourse irrelevant to Caribbean natives’ origins, cultures and fate. The cultural market trends were so far-reaching and successful that there is a need to assess pre-European native Caribbean history away from the sought-after taino market modeled after Constantine Samuel Rafinesque since 1836. Consequently, by the mid twentieth century a critical separation from traditional native Caribbean ethnohistory was well established within a suppositional trend inconsequential to original native biological evolution, language and diversity. This study analyses early ethnopolitical native contacts as tribal independencies interacted before and after discovery. Relevant historical facts originated from national archives and critical older books
Social Distancing, Lockdown Obligatory, and Response Satisfaction During COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception of Nigerian Social Media Users
Get PDFBackground: Pandemics are challenging for clinical and public health agencies and policymakers because of the scientific and medical uncertainty that accompanies novel viruses like COVID-19 makes an increase of morbidity and mortality prominent. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the public perception of social distancing, lockdown obligatory, and response satisfactory during the pandemic.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey used an anonymous online google based questionnaire to collect data from respondents via social media platforms. The online survey was conducted among social media users from 1st to 30th April 2020. A snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit respondents for the survey. A total of 1,131 respondents responded across the country.
Results: Nine out of every ten respondents believed that social distancing is an effective measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Also, 8 out of every ten respondents agreed with the lockdown measures. However, just 36.8% think their government is doing enough to stop the outbreak, and only 25% of the respondents were satisfied with the country’s response to the worldwide epidemic. The age of respondents was found to be significantly associated with satisfaction with emergency response during pandemics.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that Nigerian public accepted social distancing as an effective way of curbing the spread of COVID-19 and general acceptance on lockdown obligatory; however, more than half of respondents expressed non-satisfactory with government and other agencies responses during the pandemics
Compressive and Flexural Strengths of Concrete Containing Ground Palm Kernel Shells as Partial Replacement of Cement
Get PDFThis study explore the possibility of using waste ground palm kernel (GPK) shells as partial replacement of cement in concrete using mechanical destructive method has been studied. The palm kernel shells were in two forms: the GPK ordinary shells and shells subjected to incomplete combustion (i.e. the GPK “fuel” shells). In the preparation of the concrete specimens the mix ratio was 1: 2: 4 (cement: sand: stone) by weight and the replacement percentage was 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% respectively. Concrete specimen were molded in both cubic and cylindrical form and its impact on the mechanical properties such as workability, compressive strength and flexural strength using destructive test method were studied. The cubic specimen were tested at 7, 28 and 60 days whiles the cylindrical specimen were tested at 7 and 28 days. Results of physical and chemical analyses suggest that GPK “fuel” shells have acceptable cementitious properties whiles GPK ordinary shells does not. Generally, the compressive and flexural strengths of concrete containing GPK shells decrease as the replacement percentage increases. However, the values of these properties increase as the period of curing increases. The optimum level of GPK shells replacement is 20% for the ordinary shells and 30% for the “fuel” shells considering compressive strength at 28 days for the cubic samples. For the flexural strength on the cylindrical specimen, up to 60% replacement of cement by GPK shells cured for 28 days has acceptable flexural strength. In spite of the findings that the GPK ordinary shells do not have cementitious properties, the mechanical properties on such concretes can be used in low strength constructions as pavements, walk ways and non structural domestic work at a lower cost than using cement
Comparing the Neuroprotective Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Vernonia Amygdalina on the Cerebellum of Adult Male Wistar Rats
Get PDFThe solvent of extraction determines the type and amount of phytochemicals extractible from a plant material. Reports have shown that numerous African herbs are rich is potent phytochemicals which have been used in folkloric and orthodox medicine in the prevention and treatment of ailments. This research is geared towards comparing the neuroprotective potency of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina on the cerebellum of mercury chloride intoxicated Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group A was the negative control and had food and water only. Group B was the positive control and was exposed to mercury chloride without treatment. Groups C1 and C2 received 200mg/kg bw of aqueous and methanolic extracts respectively while groups D1 and D2 received 400mg/kg bw of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina respectively. Result of phytochemical analysis shows that water extracted more flavonoids while methanol extracted more phenols. The results of antioxidant studies show that the methanolic extract conferred more protection against oxidative stress than the aqueous extract. Histological results show that aqueous extract conferred more protection than the methanolic extract. We therefore conclude from our report that both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina confer neuroprotection on the cerebellum of Wistar rats
Assessment of Water Quality Index and Irrigation Indices in Ese Odo Area of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigerian
Get PDFAn assessment of the ground water quality was carried out in Ese Odo local government area of Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. The study was aimed at examining the various samples of ground water and the quality of the ground water as it relates to drinking and irrigation purposes. Forty-Five ground water samples were taken from boreholes and open wells and analyzed for physical, chemical and biological properties. The results were compared with World Health Organization standards. The usefulness of these parameters in predicting ground water quality characteristics were studied and water quality index was determined from these parameters. In assessing the water for irrigation uses, indices such as percent (%Na), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), Kelly’s ratio (KR), magnesium ratio (MR), equivalent salinity concentration (ESC) and Wilcox plot were used. The result obtained shows that the water studied has a mean value of 2.8 NTU for turbidity, 7.3 for pH, 294 μS/cm for electrical conductivity, 52mg/L for total dissolved solids, temperature 28.3°C, total hardness 41 mg/L, chloride 38.3 mg/L, calcium 15.8 mg/L, 5.64 mg/L for magnesium, nitrate 1.47mg/L, sulphate 51.7 mg/L, bicarbonate 15mg/L. Zinc, iron, manganese have mean values less than 1mg/L. The results indicated all the physicochemical parameters are within the recommended levels set by World Health Organization (WHO). Although traces of heavy metal and mineral oil contaminations are observed some of the samples. All the samples are plotted on the “Excellent irrigation class” of Wilcox plot with good/excellent irrigation indices. Consequently, the groundwater in the study area is good and suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes
Proximate, Phytochemical and Antioxidant Mineral Compositions of Four Different Brands of Tea
Get PDFThe comparative studies of the proximate, phytochemical and antioxidant mineral compositions of four different brands of green tea were investigated. The four different brands, Tianshi®, Qualitea®, Slimfit®, and Xiang® were purchased from a supermarket in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. The samples were pulverized and stored in an airtight container prior to analysis. The proximate composition was analysed using AOAC method while phytochemical compositions of the green teas were investigated using standard methods. The result of the study indicated that the moisture content (15.80±0.01%) and protein content (1.05±0.00%) of Qualitea® was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to Slimfit and Xiang tea while the fibre content of Xiang tea (80.35±0.03%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other tea studied. The phytochemical study showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides in all the teas studied. However, Qualitea® contains the highest amount of phytochemicals when compared to the other brands of tea investigated. Data obtained from the antioxidant mineral study showed that the four brands of the tea are good sources of antioxidant minerals such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Se. It is therefore recommended that tea be included in our menu because of their nutritive and health benefits
Analysis of Metabolic Biomarkers in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD); A Comprehensive Review
Get PDFNon-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver problems across the world accounting 25% of the global population. The major groups that are mostly affected are young children and obese population. It is identified to be corelated with metabolic syndrome such as mellitus diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the robust form of NAFLD which has led to necro-inflammation and liver fibrosis. The standard and well-known diagnostic method till now is ‘liver biopsy’ but it impedes the examining of the tissue because of its invasive nature. Other diagnostic study usually involved imaging tools MRI or ultrasonography for discriminating simple steatosis with prognostic NASH also have certain limitations. Due to the ever-rising rate of NAFLD, there is an imperative need of developing non-invasive biomarkers for better monitoring and prophecy of the disease. There is also a need for the better treatment for curing NAFLD. In the knowledge of people, it has been observed that medicinal plants have known to possess professional therapeutic properties Swertia chiraiyta, a customary indigenous folk plant primordial to the upper regions of temperate Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan is used in various ailments of liver disorders, ulcers, fever, diabetes, skin, and various other diseases. The current review focuses on epidemiologic, pathogenetic aspects and both the current and prospective biomarkers involved in NAFLD assessment that has the potential to leverage better understanding of solving the problem. Moreover, it characterizes the current treatment of NAFLD while discussing the other newer dimension of formulation for future prospects