Local Area Research Articles

Geospatial analysis of cholera outbreak mapping of prone areas in communities in Ondo State, Southwestern, Nigeria

Cholera stands as an abrupt intestinal infection brought about by the consumption of food or water contaminated with comma-shaped bacteria, specifically Vibrio cholerae. The prime objective of this study is to employ Geospatial methodologies in the mapping of cholera occurrences within Ondo State. Geographical Information System (GIS) is utilized to chart the instances of cholera outbreaks. The pivotal aims of this endeavor encompass: · delineating the prevalence of cholera incidents across all Local Government Areas (LGA) within Ondo State; · assessing the trajectory of cholera occurrences within the research locale; · identifying the principal causes of cholera within Ondo State; · Outlining and suggesting potential strategies to counteract the incidence of cholera in the state; and · Forecasting the occurrence of cholera cases over the subsequent 5 to 10 years. Recorded instances of cholera were sourced from the ministry of health, supplemented by the use of questionnaires to amass primary data. The research leveraged both ArcGIS and SPSS as analytical tools. ArcGIS facilitated the mapping of cholera causes and plausible remedies. It is evident that Local Government Areas (LGAs) boasting larger populations recorded more cholera cases compared to their smaller counterparts. Furthermore, it is observed that the highest count of reported cholera cases across all LGAs was reached in 2014. The study establishes the potential for early diagnosis and preventive measures to obliterate the disease and integrate the resulting database into the primary health sector. It was discovered that there’s know significant differences in reported cases of cholera in all the Local Government Areas (LGA) despite the fact that the values looks similar or varies. The study recommends advancing the field of cholera mapping to unveil risk factors and preclude potential cholera outbreaks within the state. Anticipated production of risk maps will identify regions prone to future cholera attacks within the state.

Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis of ethanol leaf extract of Pleiocarpa mutica

This research project examined Pleiocarpa mutica leaf extract, extracted from ethanol using both quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis. Sourced is at Ugbene-Ajima in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria, where fresh Pleiocarpa mutica leaves were collected. After been gathered, the newly sprouted P. mutica leaves were cleaned. We then shade-dried the leaves until they were crispy, rotating them frequently to prevent them from rotting. A mechanical grinder was utilized to reduce the dried leaves to a powdered state while a maceration flask was used to macerate 1.5 kg of the known weight of the ground leaves in 10 liters of 100% ethanol. In using a muslin cloth, the mixture was filtered into a flask with a flat bottom after being left for 72 hours with irregular stirring. Quantitative phytochemical analysis procedures identified the specific concentration of a certain chemical constituent present in a plant sample using methods such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, and spectrophotometry. This makes it possible to determine the concentration of a component in the plant material. Qualitative phytochemical analysis techniques focus on identifying the presence or absence of several chemical groups in a plant sample. Discovering the existence of substances such as alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids often requires a range of chemical analyses or the use of specific reagents. Thus, the standard quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis technique were used to investigate the chemical composition of plants and identify bioactive compounds that may offer nutritional, medicinal, or pharmacological advantages. Hence, it has been shown that the ethanol leaves extract of P. mutica contains various concentrations of phytochemical constituents, which might be responsible for its biological activities.

Enhancement of transmission line parameters for the supply of energy in the Rivers state local government area of Obio Akpor

Efficient energy transmission is crucial for meeting the growing demand for electricity, particularly in urban and rural areas. In the Rivers State Local Government Area of Obio Akpor, Nigeria, ensuring reliable power supply is essential for supporting economic development and improving quality of life. However, challenges such as transmission line losses, voltage fluctuations, and inadequate infrastructure hinder the effective distribution of energy in the region. This article presents a comprehensive study on enhancing transmission line parameters to improve energy supply in Obio Akpor. Through field measurements, data analysis, and simulation studies, the performance of existing transmission lines is evaluated, and strategies for enhancing efficiency and reliability are proposed. The literature review explores previous research on transmission line optimization, emphasizing factors such as conductor material, line design, and insulation to minimize losses and maximize power transfer capability. Materials and methods encompass data collection, including impedance measurements, voltage profiles, and load characteristics, followed by computer simulations to assess proposed enhancements.

Digital marketing and financial inclusion; a study of Orba modern market in Udenu local government area, Enugu State

The study explored digital marketing's role in fostering financial inclusion in Orba Main Market, Udenu Local Government, Enugu State, using a mixed-method approach. While residents displayed varying levels of awareness and adoption of digital financial services, many actively utilized them despite facing challenges such as language barriers, low literacy, and poor internet connectivity. Educational attainment positively influenced awareness, while age negatively impacted perceptions. The findings underscored the need for comprehensive strategies to enhance digital literacy, trust, and infrastructure, aiming to boost market participation and economic empowerment in rural areas. Recommendations included tailored awareness campaigns, improved accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration to address these barriers effectively.

Effect of flavonoid-rich fraction of Pleiocarpa mutica leaves on phospholipase A2 activity

Pleiocarpa mutica (Apocynaceae) is a pharmaceutical plant investigated to identify the usefulness and efficacy of the shrubs in the treatment of various ailments. Also, flavonoids are polypenolic compounds frequently found in nature and are divided into flavones, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, catechins, flavonols, chalcones, and flavonones based on the structure of their chemicals. Hence, fresh leaves of Pleiocarpa mutica were collected from Ugbene-Ajima, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. The extraction of a flavonoid-rich fraction of P. mutica leaves was conducted by dissolving a certain amount of crude extract in 20 mL of 10% H2SO4 in a tiny flask and then heating the mixture in a water bath for 30 minutes at 100 °C to initiate hydrolysis. However, quantitative phytochemical analysis of the P. mutica flavonoid-rich fraction was carried out by utilizing standard conventional protocols. Newly drawn human blood samples were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3,000 rpm, with the supernatant (plasma) being disposed of. After being measured and reconstituted as a 40% (v/v) suspension with phosphate-buffered saline, the red blood cells were rinsed three times with an equivalent volume of normal saline. The fraction substantially (p < 0.05) reduced the activity of phospholipase A2 in a concentration-dependent approach when compared to the standard drug (prednisolone), with a range of 0.2 mL to 1.0 mL reducing the amount of the enzyme by 47.58% to 63.61%. These results showed that the flavonoid-rich fraction of Pleiocarpa mutica leaves is potent in curtailing the inflammatory response through inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity.

Assessment of determinant factors responsible for divorce among divorcees in rural areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed factors responsible for divorce among divorcees in rural areas of Ibadan by specifically focusing on sexual satisfaction, ethnicity/culture, and educational disparities. Divorce is related to marriage and family, and it has been used as an instrument to expose failure through marriage. In Nigeria, the high rate of divorce is mostly associated with urbanization and industrialization. The study employed a multi-stage sampling procedure using a well-structured and closed-ended questionnaire. Three out of six rural local government areas were randomly selected, representing 50%. 354 divorcees were randomly selected out of 3,064 divorce cases heard in the last 4 years using the Taro Yamane formula. The collected data were analysed through descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (chi square). The study revealed that more than half of the respondents admitted that sexual intercourse brings peace to their family, while 52% disagreed that ethnicity has to do with divorce. Therefore, sexual activities between the couple must be set as a priority, with respect for one another's as well as unique cultural beliefs, customs, and communication preferences.

Culture and local wisdom of the lampung indigenous people on the Pesisir Barat in the utilization of the Repong Damar Agroforestry System

Forest resources have a very important role in people's lives, both directly and indirectly. Agroforestry can be an interesting example in the production of timber and non-timber forest products. Agroforestry is an intensive land management system that combines forestry plants and agricultural plants to achieve optimal results, while still paying attention to aspects of land conservation and carrying out cultivation in accordance with the needs of local communities. Indigenous communities on the Pesisir Barat inherit the values of Repong Damar through unique management, which is based on local wisdom of the local area. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach using the research desk method. This study approach seeks to explore data from various sources as secondary data so that the main source of research data is obtained using the research desk method or Secondary Data Analysis (SDA) with qualitative data. Indigenous communities in Pesisir Barat Regency manage Repong Damar by applying traditional values, namely regulated through customary law, inheritance of Repong Damar, and values in managing Repong Damar as a guideline for not destroying forests and continuing to manage them properly. Therefore, granting utilization permits, collaborative implementation, partnerships, and cooperation in empowering indigenous communities through local culture and wisdom in utilizing agroforestry systems carried out around the Repong Damar customary forest can help maintain sustainability and the ecosystem within it.

Modelling spatio-temporal interactions between second messengers Ca and cAMP in a pancreatic -cell.

Calcium serves as a widespread second messenger in almost every human and animal cell. The regulation of various cellular processes, such as transcriptional control and the kinetics of membrane channels, is significantly influenced by intracellular calcium ions (Ca ), and linkages between Ca and other second messengers should activate signaling networks. The passage of ions across the cell membrane regulates Ca levels in pancreatic -cells and requires the coordinated interaction of various ion transport mechanisms and organelles. The signaling of Ca in -cells and its interactions with the intracellular dynamics of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is poorly understood. Therefore, the current investigation proposes a mathematical model to illustrate the spatiotemporal dynamical interaction between Ca and cAMP. In order to construct a one-dimensional mathematical model, the fundamental initial and boundary conditions derived from the physiological characteristics of the -cell are incorporated. The numerical results were obtained by MATLAB simulations using the finite element method and the Crank-Nicolson method. The current study aims to offer an update on regulation between Ca and cAMP signaling circuits, with a focus on interactions that occur in localized areas of the -cell. The model gives the individual effect of each parameter on the regulation of Ca and cAMP profiles in a -cell. Evidently, impairments in the regulation of messenger pathways contribute to the pathological conditions, as demonstrated by the results obtained.

Comparison of in-shoe plantar pressure between Korean combat boots and running shoes

IntroductionCombat boots are special shoes designed for soldiers to wear during activities in rough terrain, such as long marches or military training. Combat boots have been known to cause high...

Foliar inoculation of Phyllachora maydis into corn induces infection and local spread in field environments.

Tar spot of corn (Zea mays L.) is a significant disease in the United States and Canada caused by Phyllachora maydis, an obligate biotroph fungus. However, field research critical for understanding and managing the disease has been hindered by a need for methods to inoculate corn with P. maydis in field environments. In this study, we developed and demonstrated the efficacy of a method to initiate tar spot in field settings using inoculations of corn leaves with P. maydis inoculum that had been stored at -20 °C for 10 months. Stromata of P. maydis were observed 19 days after inoculations in two field experiments, and stromata resulting from secondary spread were initially observed 39 to 41 days after the initial inoculations. Tar spot was not present in the fields beyond the inoculated areas or localized spread area, signifying that the establishment of initial disease resulted solely from inoculations. This study enhances our understanding of inoculation and infection of corn with P. maydis and tar spot development in field environments. The results will aid new research into understanding the corn tar spot pathosystem and improving management strategies.

First report of anthracnose of Lithocarpus polystachyus caused by Colletotrichum fructicola in China.

Lithocarpus polystachyus (Wall. ex A. DC.), an economically valuable plant species belonging to the Fagaceae family, has been used as herbal tea to prevent diabetes because of the high content of flavonoids and dihydrochalcones in the leaves (Shang et al. 2022). In July 2022, the severe leaf lesion on L. polystachyus was first observed in Yongshun County, Xiangxi autonomous prefecture (28°45'34''N, 109°40'11''E), Hunan province, China. Yongshun County is characterized by hills and mountains, situated in a subtropical region with a mild and humid climate. A second outbreak in July 2023 was observed in the same area. The observed incident rates in the past two years were 87.3% and 90.6%, respectively. Once infected, almost all plant leaves will be infected, leading to a substantial reduction in the yield of L. polystachyus. The disease presented symptoms characterized by round or irregularly shaped lesions that initially manifested as brown spots. These lesions frequently merged into larger, dark-brown areas along the leaf margins before eventually wilting. To ascertain the pathogenic species responsible for this disease, fungal isolation was conducted using a tissue separation method (Xu et al. 2023). The infected leaf tissues were surface-disinfected with 75% ethanol and 0.1% HgCl then small pieces (1×1 cm), were placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium (Sigma-Aldrich, 70139) and incubated at 28°C for 6-9 days. Colonies were villiform and initially white, becoming gray after 6 days. Sterilized dissecting needles were used to pick single hyphal tips from the edge of the colonies and placed onto PDA for strain purification. After 15 days, the purified colonies grew fluffy white hyphae with abundant conidia. The conidia were cylindrical, had round ends, and ranged from 5.75 to 14.83 μm long and 1.75 to 2.38 μm wide (n=50). According to morphological and cultural characteristics, these isolates were preliminarily identified as Colletotrichum fructicola Prihast., L. Cai & K.D. Hyde (Damm et al. 2012). To further affirm the identity of the pathogen, DNA was extracted from mycelia using a DNA extraction kit (Sigma-Aldrich, G2N70). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the transcription elongation factor (TEF), and the actin (ACT) gene were then amplified from genomic DNA extracted from three isolates (Cof1, Cof2, and Cof3) using specific primers. The primers utilized were ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1-728F/EF1-986R and ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999) for ITS region, transcription elongation factor gene and actin gene amplification, respectively. Sequence identity indicated that these isolates were highly homologous to C. fructicola. The ITS (Genbank No. PP002156, OR880553 and OR880554), TEF (No. PP061421, PP061422 and PP061423), and ACT (No. PP061418, PP061419 and PP061420) sequences of the isolates Cof1, Cof2, and Cof3 shared 99 to 100% identity with their counterparts (No. OR083309, MF627961, and OQ427895) in C. fructicola, respectively. A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree constructed using MEGA11 (Tamura et al. 2021) also indicated that these isolates were C. fructicola. Both morphological and molecular characteristics confirmed the identification of this pathogen as C. fructicola. Colletotrichum species are known to cause anthracnose disease in a variety of economically important crops (Sharma and Kulshrestha 2015). To further validate the ability of the isolated C. fructicola to induce the same symptoms as observed in the field, the pathogenicity assay was assessed following Koch's postulates (Gradmann, 2014). Conidial suspensions (1×105 conidia per mL) from three isolates were individually inoculated onto artificially wounded leaves of 3-year-old L. polystachyus. Negative controls were established by inoculating leaf wounds with sterile distilled water. The plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 28°C and 90% humidity with a 12-h photoperiod. The experiment was replicated three times. Necrotic lesions were observed on all pathogen-inoculated wounds within 6 days after inoculation, whereas controls showed no observable symptoms. Morphological and molecular characterization of re-isolated pathogens from infected leaves indicated that the pathogens were identical. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose of L. polystachyus caused by C. fructicola in China. Farmers in the local mountainous areas are economically reliant on L. polystachyus production, while anthracnose has caused over half of the trees to lose their commercial value, resulting in significant economic losses. Our findings hold great promise for advancing strategies in the prevention and treatment of anthracnose in L. polystachyus.

A national audit of facilities, human and material resources for the comprehensive management of diabetes in Ghana-A 2023 update.

The human and material resources as well as the systems for managing diabetes in Africa are inadequate. This study or needs assessment, aimed at updating the human and material resources, identifying the gaps and unmet needs for comprehensive diabetes care in Ghana. We conducted a national audit of 122 facilities in all 16 administrative regions of Ghana. Information obtained covered areas on personnel and multidisciplinary teams, access to medications, access to laboratory services, financing, screening services, management of diabetes complications, and availability/use of diabetes guidelines or protocols. Data was analysed using STATA version 16.1. P-values <0.05 were set as significant. Only 85(69.7%) out of the 122 surveyed facilities had a dedicated centre or service for diabetes care. Twenty-eight (23%) had trained diabetes doctors/specialists; and whilst most centres had ophthalmic nurses and dieticians, majority of them did not have trained diabetes educators (nurses), psychologists, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and foot/vascular surgeons. Also, 13.9% had monofilaments, none could perform urine dipstick for microalbumin; 5 (4.1%) and just over 50% could perform laboratory microalbumin estimation and glycated haemoglobin, respectively. Access to and supply of human insulins was better than analogue insulin in most centres. Nearly 100% of the institutions surveyed had access to metformin and sulphonylurea with good to excellent supply in most cases, whilst access to Sodium Glucose Transporter-2 inhibitors and Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues were low, and moderate for Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Majority of the health facilities (95.1%) offered NHIS as payment mechanism for clients, whilst 68.0% and 30.3% of the patients paid for services using out-of-pocket and private insurance respectively. Fifteen facilities (12.3%) had Diabetes Support Groups in their locality and catchment areas. An urgent multisectoral collaboration, including prioritisation of resources at the facility level, to promote and achieve acceptable comprehensive diabetes care is required.

Plant diversity on the edge: floristics, phytogeography, fire responses, and plant conservation of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in the context of OCBIL theory

Context There have been few long-term studies of the flora, phenology, and ecology of specific reserves in the species-rich flora of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Aims This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods The study used botanical collection on repeat surveys, herbarium studies, granite outcrop surveys and comparative phytogeographic analyses from maps on the Western Australian Herbarium’s Florabase. Key results Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 26% of those known in the Albany local government area. Possibly as many as 950–1000 taxa will be found in the future. The herbarium collections are the second largest of any conservation reserve in the Albany area. Flowering was most evident in spring and least in autumn. Three declared rare species and 20 conservation priority species were identified, as were short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Conclusions The flora is dominated by species predominantly from wetter forest regions. Consequently, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is correctly placed within the Bibbulmun Botanical Province. Several hypotheses of OCBIL theory (which addresses old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes) were supported, with increased local endemism, ancient clades, and reduced rates of natural hybridisation identified for the granite inselberg OCBIL Maardjitup Gurlin/Mt Gardner. Implications Long term studies are invaluable for plant inventory. Continuing the minimal use of prescribed burning is advocated from plant data, in support of approaches to help conserve threatened animals.

GIS analysis for the selection of optimal sites for mine water geothermal energy application: a case study of Scotland's mining regions

Water within flooded coal mines can be abstracted via boreholes or shafts, where heat can be extracted from (or rejected to) it to satisfy surface heating (or cooling) demands. Following use, water can be reinjected to the mine workings, or discharged to a surface water receptor. Four criteria have been applied, using ArcGIS, to datasets describing mine workings and mine water below the Midland Valley of Scotland, to provide an initial screening tool for suitability for mine water geothermal energy exploitation. The criteria are: (i) presence of two or more worked coal seams below site, (ii) absence of potentially unstable shallow (&lt;30 m) workings, (iii) depth to mine water piezometric head &lt;60 m, (iv) depth of coal mine workings &lt;250 m. The result is the Mine Water Geothermal Resource Atlas for Scotland (MiRAS). MiRAS suggests that a total area of 370 km 2 is “optimal” for mine water geothermal development across 19 local authority areas, with greatest coverage in North Lanarkshire. This result should not be taken to suggest that mine water geothermal potential does not exist at locations outside the identified “optimal” footprint. The MiRAS does not preclude the necessity for specialist engineering and geological input during full feasibility study. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Mine Water Energy collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/mine-water-energy Supplementary material: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7235866

Improved VoWiFi cell capacity using A‐MPDU for frame aggregation in sixth‐generation WLAN standard

AbstractThe rapid progress in wireless communication technology and proliferation of multimedia applications, including voice over WiFi (VoWiFi), demand exploration of innovative approaches to enhance the network performance and quality of service. We propose a technique for enhancing the cell capacity of wireless local area network (WLAN) access point that provides VoWiFi service in the sixth‐generation WLAN standard. The proposed technique uses the aggregate media access control protocol data unit (A‐MPDU) for frame aggregation with constant bit rate (CBR) traffic in the WiFi 6 standard (i.e., IEEE 802.11ax). On the other hand, the retransmission of voice packets substantially deteriorates the VoWiFi cell capacity. We compare the results obtained from the use of WiFi 6 with currently existing WLAN standards, such as IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac. This comparison focuses on distributed coordination function interframe spacing (DIFS) and arbitration interframe spacing (AIFS) using CBR traffic. Using our technique, we can increase the VoWiFi cell capacity for CBR traffic by 24.25% and 25.20% when using DIFS and AIFS, respectively, while considering the A‐MPDU frame aggregation technique.

Academic survival: student retention in sport and exercise sciences

ABSTRACT Retention of higher education students is of major concern within the United Kingdom due to the financial and reputational impact on institutions, financial and personal impact on students and loss of potential skills and knowledge within society. Student background characteristics are acknowledged as the initial factors influencing retention within various models, however subject specific understanding is limited. This study aimed to identify pre-enrolment factors associated with student retention in Sport, Health and Exercise Science programmes. Student retention at department and programme level were calculated by ‘time to event’ analysis using Kaplan–Meier survival trend curves and log rank (Mantel–Cox) analysis for; gender, age, locality to the university, highest qualification on entry and participation of local areas in higher education (POLAR4) classifications. Results identified that male students, students from low Higher Education participation neighbourhoods and students who enter Higher Education without A-Level or foundation qualifications were at an increased risk of degree non-completion. Importantly, these characteristics were also disproportionally high in the student populations considered here. It is imperative that initiatives to improve retention, particularly in these populations, are sought and implemented at department level to improve student and institutional outcomes.

The complementary relationship between illegal fishing and maritime piracy: A case study of the Gulf of Guinea

This research paper investigates the interrelationship between maritime crime, specifically sea piracy, and illegal fishing. Existing studies primarily focus on the link between piracy and illegal fishing activities carried out by foreign trawlers, drawing evidence from Somali piracy cases. A causal narrative in past works highlights the detrimental effects of foreign trawlers on local marine resources, ecosystems, and livelihoods, thereby driving local fishers to turn toward piracy and prompting coastal states to address the key issue of illegal fishing by foreign vessels.However, this emphasis on external perpetrators can lead states to pay less attention to local actors involved in illegal fishing and maritime piracy. Therefore, this study redirects our attention to local perpetrators who engage in illegal fishing and maritime piracy. It explores the complementary relationship between these two types of crimes. Our findings indicate that reducing illegal fishing activities in a local area enhances the likelihood of maritime piracy occurrence. By shedding light on the complementarity between illegal fishing and maritime piracy, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers and law enforcement agencies involved in combating maritime crime. It underscores the importance of locally addressing illegal fishing and piracy using a more holistic approach.

A Study on the Impact of Income Gap on Consumer Demand: An Empirical Test Based on the Spatial Panel Durbin Model

The study utilizes China Household Panel Survey (CFPS) data from 2010 to 2020 to create a spatial panel Durbin model and examines the spatial spillover effect of the income gap on consumer demand using spatial econometric techniques. Studies have shown that the income gap has a notable inverted U-shaped influence on consumer demand, and there is a strong inverted U-shaped spatial spillover effect between surrounding locations. Expanding the income difference within a specific range boosts consumer demand in both local and surrounding areas. Further increasing the income difference impedes the growth of consumer demand in both local and surrounding regions. Regional variations significantly impact how the income gap affects consumer demand through spatial spillover. From the perspective of consumption quantity, the “inverted U-shaped” inflection point in economically developed regions and eastern regions is on the left side of economically underdeveloped regions and western regions; from the perspective of consumer quality, this result is exactly the opposite. China should persist in enhancing efforts to advance income distribution system reform and improvement, bolster the development of inclusive, fundamental, and grassroots livelihoods, manage residents’ income gap amid evolving income levels, and stimulate consumer demand in local and neighboring regions.

Factors influencing adoption of sexual and reproductive health intervention for adolescents in Ebonyi, Nigeria.

School and Community-embedded reproductive health interventions have been implemented in developing countries, with evidence that they led to improved sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. However, this type of intervention is rarely evaluated for its potential adoption and use. This study evaluated the constraints and enablers of the adoption of a school and community-embedded intervention that used community engagement, capacity building, partnerships and collaborations to deliver sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents. The intervention was implemented between 2019 and 2021 in six local government areas in Ebonyi State. The results on adoption presented here were collected four months into the mid-phase of the project, targeting adolescents, parents, adult family members, healthcare providers, local authorities, and community members. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with policymakers, 14 with health service providers and 18 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with parents, community leaders and adolescents who were part of the implementation process. The coding reliability approach, a type of thematic data analysis was used, that involves early theme development and the identification of evidence for the themes. The adoption of school and community-embedded reproductive health intervention was strong among stakeholders at the early stages of the implementation process. Multi-stakeholder involvement and its multi-component approach made the intervention appealing, thereby enabling its adoption. However, at the later stage, the adoption was constrained by beliefs and norms about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and the non-incentivisation of stakeholders who acted as advocates at the community level. The sustainability of the intervention may be threatened by the non-incentivisation of stakeholders and the irregular supply of materials and tools to facilitate SRH advocacy at the community level. The inclusive community-embedded reproductive health intervention was adopted by stakeholders because of the enablers which include timely stakeholder engagement. However, for it to be sustainable, implementers must address the non-incentivising of community-level advocates which serve as constraints.

Constrained Iterative Adaptive Algorithm for the Detection and Localization of RFI Sources Based on the SMAP L-Band Microwave Radiometer

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite carries an L-band microwave radiometer. This sensor can be used to observe global soil moisture (SM) and sea surface salinity (SSS) within the protected L-band spectrum (1400–1427 MHz). Owing to the complex effects of radio frequency interference (RFI), the SM and SSS data are missing or have low accuracy. In this paper, a constrained iterative adaptive algorithm for the detection, identification, and localization of RFI sources is designed, named MICA-BEID. The algorithm synthesizes antenna temperatures for the third and fourth Stokes parameters before RFI filtering, creating a new polarization parameter called WSPDA, designed to approximate the level of RFI interference on the L-band microwave radiometer. The algorithm then utilizes the WSPDA intensity and distribution density of RFI detection samples to enhance the identification and classification of RFI sources across various intensity levels. By utilizing statistical methods such as the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative distribution function (CDF), the algorithm dynamically adjusts adaptive parameters, including the RFI detection threshold and the maximum effective radius of RFI sources. Through the application of multiple iterative clustering methods, the algorithm can adaptively detect and identify RFI sources at various satellite orbits and intensity levels. Through extensive comparative analysis with other localization results and known RFI sources, the MICA-BEID algorithm can achieve optimal localization accuracy of approximately 1.2 km. The localization of RFI sources provides important guidance for identifying and turning off illegal RFI sources. Moreover, the localization and long-time-series characteristic analysis of RFI sources that cannot be turned off is of significant value for simulating the spatial distribution characteristics of localized RFI source intensity in local areas.