Bayero University Kano

Despite treatment, many hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have blood pressure (BP) that remains above guideline targets. However, less is known about patients in whom on-treatment BP is below target and major European guidelines differ substantially in their recommendations for such patients. Specifically, 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines provide a Class 3 recommendation to proactively avoid BP below target whereas 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines do not. Between 2020 and 2023, adults hospitalised in the previous 6-24 months with incident or recurrent CHD were sampled in 14 countries from all six WHO regions and invited for a standardised interview and examination as part of the International Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (INTERASPIRE) study. We measured seated BP twice using an automated oscillometric device after 5 min of rest. We defined participants as having BP above target (BP ≥130/80 mm Hg), at target (BP 120-129/70-79 mm Hg) or below target (<120/70 mm Hg); according to both 2023 ESH and 2024 ESC guidelines. Among 4548 participants (21.1% female), the mean age (±SD) was 60.0 (±10.3) years. At a median (IQR) of 1.05 (0.76-1.45) years after index CHD hospitalisation, 10.3% of patients had BP readings within the target range of 120-129/70-79 mm Hg, with 53.9% above target and 35.7% below target. Patients with below-target BP were more likely to have heart failure (13.6% vs 10.0%, p=0.041) and estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m² (18.9% vs 10.7%, p<0.001), when compared with those at target. They were also statistically more likely to be severely frail (p=0.030). The median number of BP-lowering medications did not differ significantly between the 3 BP target groups. Cumulative dosing of BP-lowering medications in the below-target group was also not more intensive than that in the at-target group. More than one-third of INTERASPIRE patients with CHD presented with BP <120/70 mm Hg, which is below target per current European hypertension guidelines. Further research is needed in this population to resolve discordant guideline recommendations and determine whether de-escalation of BP-lowering therapies is beneficial or even harmful in this setting.

Recently, the idea of reconfigurable antennas has made it feasible to design a single antenna that can support multiple wireless standards while maintaining the same performance as multiple antennas. The integration of a single antenna that can operate at multiple frequencies is required to enable multiple applications in a single device. This paper presents a compact frequency-reconfigurable microstrip antenna designed to support multiple wireless standards in modern communication devices. The proposed antenna, with dimensions of 30 × 15 × 1.52 mm³, is simulated using CST Studio Suite and achieves reconfigurability through the integration of PIN diodes as switches within strategically placed slots on the radiating structure. By controlling the bias states of the two PIN diodes (Sw1 and Sw2), the antenna can dynamically switch between four distinct operating modes: All switches ON: dual-band operation at 2.4 GHz (lower WLAN) and 5.6 GHz (higher WLAN), All switches OFF: single-band resonance at 4.2 GHz (radio altimeter applications), Sw1 ON and Sw2 OFF: single-band operation at 2.9 GHz (military and meteorological radars), Sw1 OFF and Sw2 ON: dual-band coverage at 3.5 GHz (5G sub-6 GHz) and 5.6 GHz (higher WLAN/5G). The design maintains consistent performance across these configurations while offering a low-profile, single-antenna solution that eliminates the need for multiple dedicated radiators. This makes it highly suitable for integration into space-constrained devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, IoT systems, and next-generation wireless networks. The proposed antenna demonstrates versatile multiband/frequency agility compatible with WLAN, 5G, radio altimeters, military radars, and weather radar applications, highlighting its potential to address the growing demand for efficient, multifunctional antennas in emerging wireless ecosystems.

This study examines the long-run relationship between foreign aid, poverty, and income inequality in 27 least developed countries across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South Asia, East Asia, Western Asia, and Latin America over the period 1990–2011. Using an unbalanced panel dataset, the study applies the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimator to account for potential endogeneity and serial correlation in the presence of integrated variables. Panel unit root and cointegration tests are conducted prior to estimation. The study findings indicate that foreign aid has a statistically significant effect on poverty and inequality; however, its redistributive impact is conditional on the quality of governance. Specifically, in Sub-Saharan African countries with weak corruption control, the effect of aid on inequality is minimal. Conversely, when governance quality improves, foreign aid exhibits a stronger equalizing effect. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of aid in reducing poverty and inequality depends critically on institutional quality and anti-corruption mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of strengthening governance frameworks to enhance the developmental impact of foreign assistance.

The urgent need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions has positioned the building sector as a critical arena for advancing sustainable energy technologies. Hybrid solar–geothermal systems, which combine solar thermal collection with shallow or deep geothermal heat exchange, offer a reliable and renewable pathway to achieving net-zero energy performance in buildings. This review evaluates the role of advanced materials in enhancing the efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability of hybrid systems. Emphasis is placed on materials used in solar collectors, geothermal piping, heat exchangers, and thermal energy storage, highlighting their thermal conductivity, mechanical resilience, corrosion resistance, and life-cycle impacts. Special attention is given to emerging bio-based and recyclable options, as well as to material optimization strategies tailored to diverse climatic conditions. Case studies demonstrate that the integration of innovative materials leads to measurable improvements in system performance, energy savings, and long-term durability. The review concludes by identifying research gaps in cost reduction, sustainable material development, and interdisciplinary integration, underscoring that advanced materials are not only enablers but key drivers of hybrid solar–geothermal adoption in sustainable buildings.

This study explores the spatial distribution and severity of Weather and Climate Extreme Events (WCEE) in Bauchi city, Nigeria, with a particular focus on flood and windstorm disasters from 2018 to 2023. Using a GPS device, the study identified and recorded the location of 1,236 buildings and structures affected by windstorms and 526 buildings and areas affected by annual floods. Through the utilization of decision-making analytical techniques such as Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) spatial interpolation techniques, the study assesses patterns, severity, and exposure impacts of WCEE in Bauchi. The findings reveal significant disparities in the impacts of flood and windstorm hazards across different neighborhoods, with certain areas experiencing more severe impacts. The pattern shows that areas with inadequate drainage infrastructure or where residential buildings encroach upon water channels experience severe flood impact, while organic settlements characterized by compact housing, dense population, and non-compliant buildings within the traditional city and suburban areas are more impacted by windstorm disaster. This study further emphasized the strong connection between urban planning and urban disaster vulnerability, risk, and exposure and underscores the urgent need to integrate the ground realities of present and past disaster- and hazard-prone areas in Bauchi with spatial planning initiatives. Through collaborative efforts among planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to co-design and implement effective planning and disaster risk reduction solutions, the city’s resilience to future WCEE can be enhanced.

ABSTRACT Background The microbial aetiology of early childhood caries (ECC) in sub-Saharan African populations remains poorly characterised, with most studies focusing on conventional cariogenic pathogens like Streptococcus mutans. This study aimed to characterise the salivary microbial profile of children with ECC in urban Kano, northern Nigeria. Methods In this cross-sectional study of 162 children aged 3–5 years in urban Kano, unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analysed using standard bacteriological culture methods. Caries status was assessed using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Microbial isolates were identified through Gram staining, colony morphology, and biochemical tests (catalase, coagulase, oxidase). Results Of 32 microbial isolates obtained, Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent (43.8%, n=14), followed by Streptococcus species (28.1%, n=9), Klebsiella species (12.5%, n=4), non-aureus staphylococci (6.3%, n=2), yeast (6.3%, n=2), and Pseudomonas species (3.1%, n=1). Only one isolate demonstrated direct association with dmft-detectable caries. Polymicrobial colonisation occurred in four cases (12.5%), predominantly featuring S. aureus-yeast combinations (n=2). White spot lesions (ICDAS 1-2) were associated with S. aureus and Klebsiella species in two separate cases. Conclusion This study reveals an unexpected predominance of S. aureus in the salivary microbiome of children in northern Nigeria, challenging conventional paradigms of ECC microbiology. The low correlation between microbial isolates and clinical caries suggests complex, multifactorial aetiology. These findings highlight the need for molecular characterisation of oral microbiomes in African populations and reconsideration of caries pathogenesis models in this unique epidemiological context.

Background:Over 200,000 babies die yearly in Nigeria, of which about 26% is due to birth asphyxia. Effective neonatal resuscitation (NR) using basic equipment is capable of preventing up to 30% of deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia. However, NR is only effective where caregivers have sufficient knowledge and required skills. The frequent industrial actions by health workers in the public sector have brought to the fore the importance of private health facilities in healthcare delivery. Thus, there is a need to assess training of health workers and availability of basic equipment in private health institutions in Kano.Aim:To assess availability of trained providers on NR and resuscitation equipment in private health facilities in Kano.Materials and Methods:This is a cross sectional survey of 85 conveniently sampled private institutions that provide obstetric care as part of their services in Kano metropolis. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from each facility.Results:Seventy eight filled questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. There were 25 specialist clinics, 44 general practice facilities, and nine maternity homes/primary healthcare (PHC). Only 29 (37.2%) of the facilities have caregivers trained on NR in attendance during normal deliveries. Thirty four (43.5%) facilities have written protocol on NR. Only two (22.2%) of the maternity homes/PHC have functional ambu bags; the corresponding figures for specialist and general practice clinics are 16 (64%) and 24 (54.5%) respectively.Conclusion:There is insufficient number of trained personnel on newborn resuscitation, and low availability of newborn resuscitation equipment in private health institutions in Kano metropolis.

In this paper, the radii and the volume mix ratios of Urban aerosols were extracted from Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC 4.0) at Relative Humidies of 0, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, 98 and 99. The compositions of urban aerososl in OPAC 4.0 are water solubles (waso) insoluble (inso) and soot. A sensitivity analysis was carried out examining the sensitivity of effective hygroscopic growth and water activity as modeled with the Köhler equation. The effective radii and the effective hygroscopic growths were determined and applied to the Kohler theorem to determine the water activity and Kelvin effects. Different concentrations of aerosols were used in the Köhler equation. After applying Kohler theorem, it was discovered based on the values of the significance that, water activities dominate the Kelvin effects. To determine effective hygroscopic growth models with different water activity estimation models, three water activity models were applied, and these models are, Activity Parameterization (AP), Van’t Hoff factor (VH) and Effective hygroscopicity parameter (EH) models. The coefficient of determination (R2), was used to determine the best model(s). From the analysis of the three models, it can be concluded AP model out perform all the models with R2 ranging from 0.9999792 to 0.9999929 for soot,0.9999792 to0 .9999850 for waso, and 0.9999792 to 0.9999949 for inso, while that the VH models fit, of Frank et. al., (2007), both linear and quadratic become the second with R2, ranging from 0.999692 to 0.999797 for soot, 0.999692 to 0.998879 for waso and 0.999692 to 0.999541 for inso.