In practical engineering systems, accounting for various uncertainties during the design process is paramount. However, reliability analysis in structural engineering often entails substantial computational costs, particularly when dealing with implicit performance functions and scenarios involving very low failure probabilities. This inherent complexity underscores the challenges faced in real-world applications, where efficient and accurate reliability assessments are crucial for ensuring structural integrity and safety. In recent years, the concept of utilizing surrogate models for reliability analysis has garnered significant attention. The approach outlined in this study employs an innovative surrogate framework that concurrently integrates Cascade-forward Neural Networks (CFNN) and Self-Organizing Map (SOM) networks, alongside an optimized kriging model. The final reliability assessment is then determined as a weighted average of the outputs from these integrated models. To comprehensively illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, a diverse range of examples are included: five mathematical examples and five engineering examples. Furthermore, a detailed discussion highlights the benefits of this proposed method in comparison to alternative approaches. The results demonstrate the effective performance of the developed methodology. For instance, in the mathematical examples, the minimum improvement observed over other methods is an 81%, coupled with an approximate 0% error in reliability calculation. Similarly, for the engineering examples, a minimum improvement of 47% is achieved over existing methods, with the reliability calculation error remaining low at approximately 1%.

Potash, an impure form of potassium salts such as potassium carbonate (K2CO3), has significant applications in agriculture and food preparation. Derived from sources like wood ashes, maize cobs, and Acha hay, potash is used in Nigeria for various local purposes, as food tenderizer and supplement in traditional medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and nutritional constituents of potash from some Local Government areas in the Northern zone of Plateau State, Nigeria. The study employed a Laboratory-based analytical approach to determine the chemical and nutritional components of four potash varieties: maize cob, Acha hay, white, and red potash. Samples were randomly collected from Vom Market in Jos South LGA, Fan Market in Barkin Ladi LGA, and Terminus Market in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. The chemical analytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, chloride, and cobalt, were measured in ppm using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) machine (Buck Scientific 205), ultra-violet visible photometer machine and muffle furnace. Additionally, proximate analysis for moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, lipids, ash, Nitrogen-Free Extract (NFE) and Metabolizable Energy (ME) was conducted. The analysis revealed significant variations in the chemical and nutritional components among the different potash varieties. Maize cob potash exhibited high potassium (600,000 ppm) and sodium (6,666.7 ppm) levels, while white potash showed substantial amounts of potassium (500,000 ppm) and chloride (115 ppm). Acha hay potash had high potassium (600,000 ppm) and calcium (250 ppm) contents, and red potash contained notable levels of potassium (500,000 ppm) and chloride (110 ppm). Nutritional analysis indicated varying levels of moisture, crude protein, crude fiber, lipids, ash, NFE & ME, highlighting the distinct profiles of each potash variety. The study underscores the diverse biochemical and nutritional profiles of different potash varieties, highlighting their potential health benefits and risks. These findings lay the Background work for further research into the health implications of potash consumption and its role in dietary supplementation.

Competency Based Education (CBE) is a system of education that has increasingly become popular as the preferred mode of delivering education and training locally and globally. However, in spite of the fact that CBE implementation has been initiated in both developing and developed countries, there are social concerns in its implementation that have been alluded to in research. Therefore, the study objective was to investigate social concerns on administrative support that ECDE teachers encounter in the Competency Based Education in Bungoma County. The study was carried out in ECDE centres in Bungoma County. The study was anchored on Symbolic Interactionism and Social Exchange Theory. Descriptive survey research design was used. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. The sample size was 201 ECDE teachers who were identified through simple random sampling and County director of education was purposively sampled. Data was collected through questionnaires for ECDE teachers, interview schedule for the County director of education and focus group discussions for preprimary one (PP1) and Preprimary two (PP2) parents. An observation schedule was used to triangulate the findings. Pilot study was conducted to enhance validity and reliability of the findings. Qualitative data was scored manually then organized and analyzed systematically as per thematic areas in a narrative form. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26). Among the major findings 159 (83%), revealed that there were inadequate teaching and learning facilities. The teacher pupil ratio for preprimary education was 1:43 far above the recommended ratio of 1:25 learners, 17 (9%) did not have any training on CBE while 164 (86%) lacked adequate training on CBE. Based on findings of the study, the study recommended provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities, training of ECDE teachers and improving the teacher pupil ratio in pre-primary education.

Background: Proper fluid and electrolyte balance is vital for preventing morbidity in neonates and children; thus, this study aimed to assess and compare electrolyte imbalances and renal marker profiles between newborns and children. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess and compare electrolyte imbalances and renal marker profiles between newborns and children. Methods: This cross-sectional study at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, Dhaka (Jan–Mar 2024), included 100 participants (50 newborns, 50 children). Serum creatinine, blood urea, and electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, Ca²⁺) were measured, and data analyzed with SPSS 26 using t-tests, chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, and Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.05). Results: Newborns had higher creatinine (0.85 vs. 0.47 mg/dL, p = 0.0009) and urea (78.3 vs. 29.5 mg/dL, p = 0.012) than children. Electrolyte imbalance occurred in 58% (64% newborns, 52% children), mainly hypernatremia (24%), hypokalemia (18%), and hyperkalemia (15%). Newborns showed lower sodium (139.8 vs. 146.1 mmol/L, p = 0.037) and chloride (100.8 vs. 106.5 mmol/L, p = 0.016), but higher potassium (5.1 vs. 4.3 mmol/L, p = 0.030). Creatinine and urea correlated negatively with sodium (r = –0.32, –0.24) and positively with potassium (r = 0.68, 0.41; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Electrolyte imbalances are common in newborns and children, with renal dysfunction closely associated with sodium and potassium disturbances, highlighting the need for age-specific monitoring.

This study investigated financial contagion between emerging and developed stock markets using the DCC-GARCH model over the period January 2010 to December 2024. Daily logarithmic return data from eight markets, namely, four emerging (India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia) and four developed (USA, UK, Germany, Japan) were analyzed across pre-crisis, COVID-19 crisis, and post-crisis periods. Descriptive statistics revealed non-normality and volatility clustering, justifying GARCH modeling. The ADF test confirmed stationarity at first differences. Univariate GARCH (1,1) estimates showed high volatility persistence. DCC-GARCH results revealed significant time-varying correlations, with crisis-period surges indicating contagion. Correlations remained elevated post-crisis, suggesting structural interdependence. Time-varying correlations peaked during the COVID-19 crisis, with Brazil–Germany and India–USA exhibiting the highest increases. Wavelet coherence analysis further confirmed contagion with high short- and medium-term co-movement, particularly between Indonesia–Japan and Brazil–Germany. Findings underscored that contagion was dynamic and scale-dependent, driven by trade ties, market openness, and global shocks. The study concluded that during crises, diversification benefits across these markets diminished significantly due to synchronized volatility and persistent financial linkages.

A defining and perilous characteristic of chronic HCV infection is its insidious, often asymptomatic nature. Many infected individuals, including a significant proportion of those who progress to advanced liver scarring, remain unaware of their condition for decades.[1] Symptoms, when they do appear, are frequently nonspecific and mild, such as fatigue, malaise, or intermittent joint pain, further masking the underlying pathology.[2] This prolonged asymptomatic period creates a vast, underdiagnosed reservoir of patients who are not only capable of transmitting the virus but are also silently progressing toward severe, life-altering complications. The combination of a high rate of chronicity with a decades-long silent phase constitutes a public health crisis in disguise. By the time a diagnosis is made, often incidentally or upon the onset of severe symptoms, many patients have already developed advanced liver disease or established extrahepatic complications, rendering their management more complex and significantly increasing the burden on healthcare systems.[1] This clinical reality underscores the critical importance of routine screening for individuals in high-risk groups to facilitate early diagnosis.

Purpose: This study investigates the differences in perception of orthodontic treatment need among pedodontists, orthodontists, general dentists and laypeople evaluated in 9–12-years-old children using standardized intraoral photographs and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Methods: A survey was conducted among four groups: pedodontists, orthodontists, general dentists and laypeople. A total of 255 participants completed the survey, consisting of 63 pedodontists, 57 orthodontists, 57 general dentists and 78 laypeople. The survey included intraoral frontal photographs of 12 different cases presenting various types of malocclusions before any orthodontic intervention. All participants were asked to evaluate the orthodontic treatment need of each case by assigning a score on a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) placed below each photograph. Group comparisons were conducted using the Independent Samples t-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), as appropriate. Result: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the groups, as orthodontists perceived higher treatment need scores, while general dentists showed a tendency to underestimate the necessity for treatment. Laypeople predominantly focused on aesthetic aspects, often overlooking functional aspects of malocclusions. Additionally, age and gender influenced perception, with older participants and females perceiving treatment need higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: Significant differences are observed in the perception of orthodontic treatment need in accordance with the evaluator’s age, gender and profession. Hence, orthodontic treatment decision should be made intently considering these differences to fulfill the divergent expectations of each patient.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is fundamentally a neurovascular complication initiated and propelled by chronic hyperglycemia. DR represents a significant and escalating public health crisis, inextricably linked to the global diabetes pandemic. Traditional, fragmented healthcare delivery models poorly manage it. In response, integrated care has emerged as a person-centered, holistic framework designed to address these complex, interconnected needs. This narrative review synthesizes the evidence on integrated care for the diabetic patients. It explores the core components and theoretical underpinnings of integrated care, provides a typology of prominent models across primary care, hospital, community, and transitional care settings, and evaluates their evidence-based impact. The analysis covers rising global prevalence of diabetes and its complications creates a problem that standard care methods cannot be met by traditional models of care. Structured, tech-enabled teamwork is the cornerstone of a sustainable, egalitarian, and successful strategy to prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. A comprehensive toolkit for system redesign is provided by the care paradigms examined here, ranging from the proactive coordination of the Patient-Centered Medical Home to the co-located expertise of Integrated Practice Units and the broad reach of teleretinal screening. With the help of data analytics and artificial intelligence, these models will be intelligently integrated to provide more proactive, individualized, and patient-centered care, which will define the future of DR management. The healthcare community may strive to guarantee that no one loses their valuable sight due to a complication that is nearly completely preventable with the correct system in place by adopting this multidisciplinary viewpoint.

This paper examines resistance in exile through the lens of diasporic consciousness in the works of Palestinian novelist Sahar Khalifeh. Drawing upon feminist and postcolonial frameworks, it explores how Khalifeh’s novels portray the struggles of Palestinians living under occupation and in diaspora, highlighting the complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural survival. Her narratives, particularly Wild Thorns (1976) and The Inheritance (2005), illustrate how Palestinians experience exile not only as physical displacement but also as an internal fragmentation of the self, marked by alienation and hybridity. Khalifeh’s female characters are shown to face dual oppressions of colonialism and patriarchy, yet they also embody resilience and agency through cultural, linguistic, and everyday forms of resistance. By situating Khalifeh’s writing within wider postcolonial discourse, this study argues that her work itself constitutes a form of cultural resistance that preserves memory and resists erasure. The analysis contributes to ongoing debates in diaspora and feminist postcolonial studies by identifying the intersections of gender, identity, and exile in Palestinian literature.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV), a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, is a major respiratory pathogen affecting poultry worldwide, leading to significant economic losses. This review highlights the importance of biosecurity strategies in preventing and controlling ILTV outbreaks by exploring its taxonomy, transmission dynamics, and replication mechanisms. ILTV’s double-stranded DNA genome, enclosed in a capsid, tegument, and lipid envelope, facilitates immune evasion and persistent infections. The virus spreads through direct contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated equipment, with wild birds acting as potential reservoirs. Understanding viral replication, including attachment, DNA synthesis, and release, provides insights into its pathogenesis and persistence. Effective biosecurity measures—such as controlled farm design, sanitation, personnel training, and vaccination—form the cornerstone of disease prevention. However, limitations such as cost, compliance, and evolving viral strains pose ongoing challenges. Emerging technologies like biosensors, genetic selection for resistant poultry breeds, and AI-based surveillance offer promising tools for future biosecurity enhancement. Integrating traditional and modern approaches ensures sustainable poultry health management and resilience against ILTV and other infectious diseases.

This study evaluates the management practices, performance, and challenges of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Enugu State, Nigeria, with a view to identifying the extent to which managerial structures and practices contribute to their growth and sustainability. The research is anchored on both empirical and theoretical frameworks including the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Managerial Competency Theory, which posit that efficient managerial practices and firm-level resources determine enterprise competitiveness. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, using a structured questionnaire administered to 200 SME owners and managers selected across Enugu metropolis, Nsukka, Oji River, and Awgu Local Government Areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scaling, and correlation techniques to examine the relationship between management practices and SME performance indicators such as sales growth, profitability, and employment generation. Findings revealed that while a large proportion of SMEs operate with informal or weak management structures, those with formalized bookkeeping, planning, and human resource practices recorded higher business performance. However, infrastructural inadequacies, limited access to finance, low managerial capacity, and weak institutional support remain major constraints. The study concludes that building managerial competence, promoting digital tools, and improving access to affordable credit are key to enhancing SME competitiveness in Enugu State. It recommends targeted management training, improved power supply, regulatory simplification, and stronger collaboration between the Enugu SME Centre, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), and business associations to provide sustainable support frameworks for SMEs.

In contemporary healthcare, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient care through interprofessional collaboration. By integrating diverse expertise from various healthcare disciplines, teams can leverage cutting-edge technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic tools to improve safety and efficiency. These technologies facilitate seamless communication among healthcare professionals, ensuring that patient information is shared promptly and accurately. For instance, when nurses, physicians, and pharmacists collaborate using a shared EHR system, they can quickly access comprehensive patient histories and medication lists, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing decision-making. This collaborative approach not only safeguards patient well-being but also streamlines workflows, allowing healthcare teams to allocate time more effectively. Moreover, the integration of technology in patient care fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where interprofessional collaboration can lead to better health outcomes. Utilizing telehealth services, healthcare professionals from various specialties can connect remotely to discuss complex cases, enabling a holistic view of patient needs. This level of collaboration is crucial in addressing chronic conditions and managing transitional care, where multiple healthcare providers must work together to coordinate treatment plans. As teams utilize data analytics and AI-driven tools to identify trends and measure performance outcomes, they can make data-informed decisions that enhance both quality of care and patient satisfaction. Thus, embracing technology while promoting interprofessional collaboration stands as a powerful strategy to elevate patient care efficacy, safety, and overall health outcomes.

Reports on precipitation and rainfall data show that Congo has a tropical climate characterized by heavy rainfall for eight (08) months out of twelve (12), with volumes reaching up to 225 mm in November and April. Land use and the construction of various structures by the population do not take into account the runoff caused by heavy rainfall. This situation poses serious problems for the architectural quality of buildings and the environment. As a result, human settlements are extremely precarious and unsanitary. Each rainfall causes damage to roads, flooding of plots, silting and soil pollution. Field observations and data from recent newspapers and publications have identified demographic and rainfall characteristics as well as phenomena that cause damage to the urban environment. This study highlights the need to develop a national building standard that takes into account heavy and intense rainfall in the Congo. The main conclusions show that rainfall is one of the key factors influencing the quality of the built environment, that is to say buildings and infrastructure. The anti-erosion development model proposed in this study uses eco-parceling to strengthen the resilience of buildings in the face of natural events. The implementation of such development plans could help engineers and public authorities in the urban crisis linked to natural disasters.

We report an exceptional case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis of the hand revealed by microbiological culture and histopathological analysis. Actinomycosis is a chronic bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces spp., anaerobic Gram-positive filamentous bacteria that are commensals of the human mucosa. The cutaneous form is rare, especially on the hand. The diagnosis relies on prolonged anaerobic culture and histological confirmation. We describe the clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic features of this unusual localization and emphasize the importance of bacteriological analysis for diagnosis and management.

Every field of study has enormous roles to play in the quest for good governance and measures towards curbing social vices in society. Each Nigerian literary writer has to pay attention to the experiences prevalent in and peculiar not only to Nigeria but also Africa at large, exposing corrupt practices, impunity, mayhem, erratic economy, epileptic power supply, human trafficking, upward Western migration and my riad of issues plaguing the continent. If the status quo must change, the utilitarian value of literature to reflect and refract the society should come to play. Literary writer must be a chronicler of events and a theorist of permutations geared towards development. This study sets to examine Chimamanda Adichie’s genius in(ter)vention in socio-political realities in Nigeria as mirrored in Americana. Eclectic literary survey of postcolonial, socio-cultural and political creeds forms the theoretical framework on which this paper is predicated. Social life in Nigeria is in the state of comatose−nothing goes well−everything is at the verge of collapse. It is characterised by unfriendly socio-political and economic atmosphere. The outcome is massive migration of Nigerians in search of better life. Paradoxically however, cross border-politics, ethnocentric prejudice and racial discrimination are issues Nigerians face in the diaspora. It is recommended that Nigerians should stay in Nigeria and offer themselves to the supreme change needed.