The study analysed the digital skill gap of agricultural extension personnel on the use of digital technologies for extension services delivery in South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the soci...The study analysed the digital skill gap of agricultural extension personnel on the use of digital technologies for extension services delivery in South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in South-East Nigeria and identify the digital skill gaps among agricultural extension personnel in the area of study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 364 Agricultural Extension personnel for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, mean score, and standard deviation. Findings indicated that most of the personnel were male (57.8%), within the age bracket of 38 - 47 years (62.9%), had B.Sc./HND as their highest educational qualification (74.7%), married (86.3%), and had a household size of 6 - 10 Persons (57.7%). It was further revealed that the majority (70.1%) were members of professional organization, earned a monthly income of N50,001.00 - N100,000.00 (65.7%), had a work experience of 11 - 15 years (51.1%), and owned a smartphone/ iPad/laptop (91.5%). Findings further indicated that they had moderate skill gap in Basic Computer skills (Mean = 4.32), and digital communication and collaboration skills (Mean = 4.26). Findings also showed that they had a high skill gap in digital technical skills (Mean = 2.46), digital data analysis skills (Mean = 2.09), digital content creation skills (Mean = 2.43), digital ethical skills (Mean = 2.79), multimedia production skills (Mean = 2.81), and video library management skills (Mean = 2.39). The study concluded that though there exists a high digital skill gap among agricultural extension personnel in South-East, Nigeria, their socioeconomic characteristics are capable of supporting the implementation of digital extension services in the area. The study recommended that the management of Agricultural Development Programs in South-East, Nigeria, should provide digital training for extension personnel to close the digital skill gap that currently exists among the personnel.展开更多
The significance of hepatitis E virus(HEV)as an important public health problem is rising.Until a decade ago,cases of HEV infection in Eur-ope were mainly confined to returning travelers,but nowadays,hepatitis E repre...The significance of hepatitis E virus(HEV)as an important public health problem is rising.Until a decade ago,cases of HEV infection in Eur-ope were mainly confined to returning travelers,but nowadays,hepatitis E represents an emerging zoonotic infection in many European countries.The aim of this manuscript is to perform a systematic review of the published literature on hepatitis E distribution in humans,animals and environmental samples("One Health"concept)in the South-Eastern European countries.Comparison of the available data showed that the anti-HEV seroprevalence in the South-Eastern Europe varies greatly,depending on the population studied,geographical area and methods used.The IgG seroprevalence rates in different population groups were found to be 1.1%-24.5%in Croatia,up to 20.9%in Bulgaria,5.9-%17.1%in Romania,15%in Serbia,up to 9.7%in Greece and 2%-9.7%in Albania.Among possible risk factors,older age was the most significant predictor for HEV seropositivity in most studies.Higher seroprevalence rates were found in animals.HEV IgG antibodies in domestic pigs were detected in 20%-54.5%,29.2%-50%,38.94%-50%and 31.1%-91.7%in Serbia,Bulgaria,Romania and Croatia,respectively.In wild boars seroprevalence rates were up to 10.3%,30.3%and 31.1%in Romania,Slovenia and Croatia,respectively.A high HEV RNA prevalence in wild boars in some countries(Croatia and Romania)indicated that wild boars may have a key role in the HEV epidemiology.There are very few data on HEV prevalence in environmental samples.HEV RNA was detected in 3.3%and 16.7%surface waters in Slovenia and Serbia,respectively.There is no evidence of HEV RNA in sewage systems in this region.The available data on genetic characterization show that human,animal and environmental HEV strains mainly belong to the genotype 3.展开更多
Food production in the countries of South and South-East Asia has shown a general upward trend during the last decade. Despite the considerable increase in population in many of these countries, food production per ca...Food production in the countries of South and South-East Asia has shown a general upward trend during the last decade. Despite the considerable increase in population in many of these countries, food production per capita in 1988-90 was significantly higher as compared to 1979-81 figures, the increase being specially marked in such countries as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Available daily calorie supply was adequate to meet the requirement. The overall pattern of food production however has shown little change, with cereal production continuing to account for a predominant part of food production. There is no evidence of a significant uptrend with respect to production of pulses, milk, horticultural products, poultry or meat production in most countries.A uniquc and unfortunate feature of the nutrition situation in South-Asian countries is that the incidence of low birth weight deliveries is as high as 34% (1990), ranging from 25% in Sri Lanka to 50% in Bangladesh (as against less than 7% in the countries of Europe and North America). Even in countries of Africa where the overall food and nutrition situation is worse than in South Asia, the incidence is well below 20%. This is a reflection of the poor state of maternal nutrition in pregnancy.Florid nutritional deficiency diseases have shown a steep decline over the last two decades, but goitre and iron deficiency anaemia continue to be major public health problems, though some headway has been made with regard to the control of the former. Severe forms of growth retardation in children have declined but the majority suffer from mild and moderate forms of growth retardation.Countries of the Region are in varying stages of developmental transition. Among the burgeoning middle classes in some of these countries there are evidences of escalation of degenerative diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. With increasing life expectancy, geriatric nutritlonal problems will demand increasing attention展开更多
Spinicaudatans, a suborder of the abandoned taxonomic group “Conchostraca”, are very useful for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the non-marine successions, remarkably in otherwise fossil-scarce red b...Spinicaudatans, a suborder of the abandoned taxonomic group “Conchostraca”, are very useful for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the non-marine successions, remarkably in otherwise fossil-scarce red beds. Feiyunella, a monospecies spinicaudatan genus, was established based on specimens from sediments of Upper Cretaceous red beds in different localities of Zhejiang Province. The morphological examination under a scanning electron microscope of the type specimens of Feiyunella zhedongensis (Chen and Shen, 1977) has found that the paratype from the Fangyan Formation at Xiaoling of Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, is not Feiyunella, but a younger individual of Linhaiella.展开更多
The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 ...The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 th -6 th millennium BC), as material for tools or for beads, nephrite (with the earliest known Balkan nephrite culture), jadeite-omphacite and quartz (different varieties) were introduced to make pendants and idols. Large quantities of copper and gold artifacts are known since the Chalcolithic period (5 th millennium BC)(unique for the region;the largest in number of gold artifacts is the Varna I Chalcolithic necropolis in Bulgaria). The gemmological materials in the Balkans are known for malachite, antigorite serpentinite, turquoise, rock crystal, carnelian, jasper, jet and obsidian. In the Varna I necropolis (mid 5 th millennium BC) are recorded the first known complex faceted carnelian beads with 32 facets, as well as some of the most important gemmological techniques and procedures such as faceting, tumbling, annealing, miniaturization and standardization. As pigments for pottery, cinnabar, graphite and gold were used in different prehistoric sites. The earliest salt production in the Balkans is known from sites in Romania and Bulgaria, and because of its trade, salt is positively linked to a population rich with prestigious goods. The introduced possible Chalcolithic weight unit “van”(2 carats) is supposed to be the earliest known in prehistoric times.展开更多
Background: Universal health coverage implies access to key promoting, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access and service. The m...Background: Universal health coverage implies access to key promoting, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access and service. The mentally-ill belongs to a vulnerable group that has not been given adequate attention especially in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. In September 2015, a health summit was organized in Enugu, South-East Nigeria with the sole aim of strategizing towards achieving universal health coverage in the zone. From all indications, much of the efforts being made towards achieving universal health coverage in the zone are geared towards physical conditions with mental disorders being grossly neglected. Purpose: This position paper briefly highlights the burden of mental disorders in South-East Nigeria;brings to fore the numerous challenges/barriers to effective mental health service delivery in the area;and calls for a positive change before a meaningful health coverage can be achieved in the zone (and by extension in the country). Findings: The burden of mental disorders in south-east Nigeria is heavy. Enormous barriers to mental health services in the area range from ignorance and stigmatization to self-marginalization by the unwillingness of many concerned leaders or hospital chief executives in the area to appreciate mental health and employ or increase the number of mental health professionals. Recommendations: All the stakeholders, from policy makers to consumers should wake up, recognize mental health as an indispensable part of health and take urgent and necessary measures that would ensure the promotion of mental health, prevention and treatment of mental disorders, and appropriate rehabilitation of those with mental illnesses in the zone.展开更多
Introduction: Tuberculosis is associated with HIV/AIDS and it has been recognized as one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in persons with HIV. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in people with HIV...Introduction: Tuberculosis is associated with HIV/AIDS and it has been recognized as one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in persons with HIV. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in people with HIV having an adverse effect on HIV progression. Objectives: The objective is to determine the retroviral disease status of patients on the DOTS strategy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients was seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital from January 2013 to April 2015. Relevant information was collected from patients’ folders. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS and results were represented in tables. Results: 171 patients (77%) were HIV negative while 51 (23%) were positive giving an HIV negative/HIV positive ratio of 3.35:1. 97 patients (43.7%) had 6 months duration of treatment. The least was 2 patients (0.9%) that complied with their medication for 7 months. The 61 - 70 years age group accounted for the least number of HIV-positive patients. Conclusion/Recommendations: There is strong tuberculosis/HIV co-infectivity among the studied population. Strategies to reduce the burden of TB/HIV co-infection should be strengthened.展开更多
The study evaluates the factors confronting the present-day construction practices in South-East Nigeria. Being a survey research, questionnaires containing information relating to factors/challenges affecting constru...The study evaluates the factors confronting the present-day construction practices in South-East Nigeria. Being a survey research, questionnaires containing information relating to factors/challenges affecting construction practices were randomly administered to selected construction practitioners in South-Eastern States of Nigeria. Accordingly, a total of 240 questionnaires were administered to the selected respondents while 160 copies were completed, returned and found useful. Thus, giving a response rate of 66.67%. Data collected were analysed and presented using percentages, mean scores, principal and factor analysis, z-test and tables. The study found that the core factors that constrain present-day construction in the study area are issues related to inadequate/dearth of technical and managerial expertise, corruption and poor project planning and control;which significantly affect operational effectiveness of the construction industry in the study area. Therefore, the study concluded by recommending that thorough capacity building through training or retraining programme which should centre on areas of the issues identified should be religiously pursued in the study area.展开更多
Aim of this paper is to characterize different risk measures in portfolio construction on seven Central and South-East European stock markets;Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Chez Republic, Bulgaria and Romania. Se...Aim of this paper is to characterize different risk measures in portfolio construction on seven Central and South-East European stock markets;Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Chez Republic, Bulgaria and Romania. Selected countries are members of EU, except Croatia and Turkey which have candidate status. Empirical part of this paper consists of three stages;at first descriptive statistic on stock returns was performed, afterwards different risk measures were employed in portfolio construction and in the last part, portfolios were tested in the out-of-sample period. Results indicate presence of extreme kurtosis and skewness in stock return series. Resulting portfolios incorporate stocks with extremely high kurtosis and stocks with negative skewness. Portfolio construction based only on risk and return results in major exposure to extreme returns and unsatisfactory portfolio out of sample results.展开更多
The sources of large and unique platinum-metal placers were the zonal alkali-ultrabasic massifs be- coming active in the Cretaceous time that gravitated to the periphery of the areal of the North-Asian Superplume （NA...The sources of large and unique platinum-metal placers were the zonal alkali-ultrabasic massifs be- coming active in the Cretaceous time that gravitated to the periphery of the areal of the North-Asian Superplume （NAS） influence. Origin of the conditions favorable for the formation of the placer platinum presence in the re- gion is governed by the plume ore-generating magmatism of several generations （ in Proterozoie and Phanerozo- ic）. Ultramafite-mafite magmatism was responsible for the origin of the stratified zonal massifs subjected in the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic to the action of granitogene derivations of the NAS. The latter provided the devel- opment of the ore-forming magmagene-fluid-metasomatic processes and favorable conditions for the platinum group elements concentration.展开更多
The granitic plutons associated with the Glito-Kpatala shear zone are composed of biotite and amphibole granodiorites, biotite granites, two-mica granites and aplitic granites, which are very poorly represented. The c...The granitic plutons associated with the Glito-Kpatala shear zone are composed of biotite and amphibole granodiorites, biotite granites, two-mica granites and aplitic granites, which are very poorly represented. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of these facies indicate that they are I type and belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, with a chemical metaluminous character displayed by the granodiorites relative to the biotite and two-mica facies whose chemical compositions vary between metaluminous and peraluminous caracter. The Th/Ta (14.04 - 43.82 ppm, mean = 26.05), Th/U (2.58 to 15.05 ppm, mean = 5.85 ppm), Zr/Hf (25.27 to 37.21, mean = 30.67 ppm) and Rb/Sr (0.16 to 4.32;mean = 1.67 ppm) ratios of these granitoids reveal a strong crustal involvement in their magmatogenesis. Variations in CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O (0.47 - 1.44 ppm), Rb/Sr (0.14 - 0.27 ppm), Rb/Ba (0.07 - 0.14 ppm) and Sr/Y (38.21 - 174.42 ppm) ratios indicate that biotite and amphibole granodiorites with their excessive Ni (135.37 - 139.51 ppm) and Cr (395.73 - 447.74 ppm) were derived from a mafic to intermediate lower continental crust where garnet and/or amphibole were stable residual assemblage minerals. The moderate Sr/Y ratios (1.81 - 9.47 ppm) and low transition elements Ni (1 - 6.44 ppm) and Cr (7.89 - 13.47 ppm) contents in both the two-mica and biotite granites are consistent with their emplacement at relatively shallow depths in the upper to mean continental crust, at pressures below 10 Kbar. In the two-mica granites, moderate CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O (0.20 - 0.57 ppm, mean = 0.38 ppm) and Rb/Ba (0.39 - 1.37, mean = 0.84 ppm) ratios and quite varied Rb/Sr (1.53 - 4.23 ppm, mean = 2.85 ppm) ratios indicate a predominant derivation from psammitic and pelitic metasediments rather than metagreywackes. These low ratios (0.25 ≤ CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O ≤ 0.32, mean = 0.28 ppm;0.31 ≤ Rb/Ba ≤ 0.44, mean = 0.39 ppm;1.11 ≤ Rb/Sr ≤ 1.78, mean = 0.39 ppm) in biotite granites are more consistent with melting from a metagreywacke-derived source. Evidence for the contribution of mantle-derived mafic magma with granitic magma in the plutons studied is materialized by the presence of magmatic enclaves in both granodiorites and two-mica granites, the volcanic arc geochemical signatures displayed by the plutons in geotectonic diagrams and Nb/Ta ratios (14.14 - 34.61 ppm) closer to mantle estimates. Geochemical data and radiometric dating elements suggest that the granitoids studied can be integrated into the pan-African late magmatic episode, which corresponds between 606 and 583 Ma, to the activity of transcurrent ductile strike-slips and to the synchronous emplacement of high K calc-alkaline plutons in a post-collisional context.展开更多
Complicated system(collage)of block structures and orogenic belts had been formed in the S-E of Asia by collision prosesses in Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods. This collage began to form in early Mesozoic as a result of...Complicated system(collage)of block structures and orogenic belts had been formed in the S-E of Asia by collision prosesses in Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods. This collage began to form in early Mesozoic as a result of destruction of the continental Proterozoic-Paleozoic crust and movements of large terreines.Indosinian and Yangtze blocks(small plates)are the most characteristic block-terranes of the region; Myanmar and Songpan block systems are less representative. Variouse types of collision belts are situated between these blocks and on the periphery of the plates. They consist of concordant folded systems and shear zones. Some of these systems and shear展开更多
Objective:To understand the epidemiology of the East,Central and South African(ECSA) genotype of Chikungunya virus(CHIKV) in terms of emerging and re-emerging infections,this study has been aimed at investigating the ...Objective:To understand the epidemiology of the East,Central and South African(ECSA) genotype of Chikungunya virus(CHIKV) in terms of emerging and re-emerging infections,this study has been aimed at investigating the evolutionary parameters,genomic signatures and molecular tracking of the CHIKV ECSA genotype in South-east Asia and coastal areas of the Indian Ocean between 2006 and 2009 by using phylogenetie analysis and the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo(BMCMC) evolutionary estimation.Methods:Nearly complete genome sequences of 53 CHIKV isolates from all genotypes were subjected to phylogenetie analysis and evolutionary parameter estimation.The amino acids of 67 of ECSA genotype during 2006 to 2009 were compared for finding molecular signature tracking.The ECSA genotype signatures were visualized to find the possible transmission root was projected onto a geographic map.Results: Phylogenetie analysis showed the ECSA genotype was divided into 2 groups.The first group comprises viruses from India and Southeast Asian countries.The second group consists of strains typically circulating in Sri Lanka in 2008.The evolutionary parameters of these groups depicted the time of the most recent common ancestor at approximately 7.5 years ago.The genomic signatures revealed the positions of amino acid variation in each group.Conclusions:The molecular evolution projected onto a geographical map showed the routes of CHIKV transmission from 2006 to 2009.Molecular tracking will assist in understanding transmission routes, epidemiology and molecular evolution of CHIKV.展开更多
The Agulhas Current is a major western boundary current flowing polewards on the southeast coast of South Africa.This analysis assesses its characteristics and suitability to generate power as a source of clean renewa...The Agulhas Current is a major western boundary current flowing polewards on the southeast coast of South Africa.This analysis assesses its characteristics and suitability to generate power as a source of clean renewable energy.On a section of coastline some 400 km long,over a period spanning more than 5 years an extensive set of current measurements was obtained.These data confirmed that south-westward currents with a speed greater than 1.2 m s^(-1)occurred over more than 60%of the recorded time;such ocean current speeds compare very favourably to winds required for energy generation.These currents occurred at the continental shelf break in water depths around 100 m,in the upper 50 m of the water column.Occasional current slowdowns and reversals did occur,with the major influence coming from‘Natal Pulses’,which are large-scale meanders in the Current that temporarily reversed the currents at the measurement sites.However,because of the surface temperature structure of the relevant water masses,such meanders can be identified in satellite imagery giving a few days advance warning of such current reversals.The characteristics of western boundary currents have been known for many years,but at Present,there is no operational system where this source of power is being utilised.It has tremendous potential for renewable energy generation,but is symptomatic of the many engineering challenges that still have to be solved to make such generation economically viable.展开更多
文摘The study analysed the digital skill gap of agricultural extension personnel on the use of digital technologies for extension services delivery in South-East, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of agricultural extension personnel in South-East Nigeria and identify the digital skill gaps among agricultural extension personnel in the area of study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 364 Agricultural Extension personnel for the study. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaire and were analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, mean score, and standard deviation. Findings indicated that most of the personnel were male (57.8%), within the age bracket of 38 - 47 years (62.9%), had B.Sc./HND as their highest educational qualification (74.7%), married (86.3%), and had a household size of 6 - 10 Persons (57.7%). It was further revealed that the majority (70.1%) were members of professional organization, earned a monthly income of N50,001.00 - N100,000.00 (65.7%), had a work experience of 11 - 15 years (51.1%), and owned a smartphone/ iPad/laptop (91.5%). Findings further indicated that they had moderate skill gap in Basic Computer skills (Mean = 4.32), and digital communication and collaboration skills (Mean = 4.26). Findings also showed that they had a high skill gap in digital technical skills (Mean = 2.46), digital data analysis skills (Mean = 2.09), digital content creation skills (Mean = 2.43), digital ethical skills (Mean = 2.79), multimedia production skills (Mean = 2.81), and video library management skills (Mean = 2.39). The study concluded that though there exists a high digital skill gap among agricultural extension personnel in South-East, Nigeria, their socioeconomic characteristics are capable of supporting the implementation of digital extension services in the area. The study recommended that the management of Agricultural Development Programs in South-East, Nigeria, should provide digital training for extension personnel to close the digital skill gap that currently exists among the personnel.
文摘The significance of hepatitis E virus(HEV)as an important public health problem is rising.Until a decade ago,cases of HEV infection in Eur-ope were mainly confined to returning travelers,but nowadays,hepatitis E represents an emerging zoonotic infection in many European countries.The aim of this manuscript is to perform a systematic review of the published literature on hepatitis E distribution in humans,animals and environmental samples("One Health"concept)in the South-Eastern European countries.Comparison of the available data showed that the anti-HEV seroprevalence in the South-Eastern Europe varies greatly,depending on the population studied,geographical area and methods used.The IgG seroprevalence rates in different population groups were found to be 1.1%-24.5%in Croatia,up to 20.9%in Bulgaria,5.9-%17.1%in Romania,15%in Serbia,up to 9.7%in Greece and 2%-9.7%in Albania.Among possible risk factors,older age was the most significant predictor for HEV seropositivity in most studies.Higher seroprevalence rates were found in animals.HEV IgG antibodies in domestic pigs were detected in 20%-54.5%,29.2%-50%,38.94%-50%and 31.1%-91.7%in Serbia,Bulgaria,Romania and Croatia,respectively.In wild boars seroprevalence rates were up to 10.3%,30.3%and 31.1%in Romania,Slovenia and Croatia,respectively.A high HEV RNA prevalence in wild boars in some countries(Croatia and Romania)indicated that wild boars may have a key role in the HEV epidemiology.There are very few data on HEV prevalence in environmental samples.HEV RNA was detected in 3.3%and 16.7%surface waters in Slovenia and Serbia,respectively.There is no evidence of HEV RNA in sewage systems in this region.The available data on genetic characterization show that human,animal and environmental HEV strains mainly belong to the genotype 3.
文摘Food production in the countries of South and South-East Asia has shown a general upward trend during the last decade. Despite the considerable increase in population in many of these countries, food production per capita in 1988-90 was significantly higher as compared to 1979-81 figures, the increase being specially marked in such countries as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Available daily calorie supply was adequate to meet the requirement. The overall pattern of food production however has shown little change, with cereal production continuing to account for a predominant part of food production. There is no evidence of a significant uptrend with respect to production of pulses, milk, horticultural products, poultry or meat production in most countries.A uniquc and unfortunate feature of the nutrition situation in South-Asian countries is that the incidence of low birth weight deliveries is as high as 34% (1990), ranging from 25% in Sri Lanka to 50% in Bangladesh (as against less than 7% in the countries of Europe and North America). Even in countries of Africa where the overall food and nutrition situation is worse than in South Asia, the incidence is well below 20%. This is a reflection of the poor state of maternal nutrition in pregnancy.Florid nutritional deficiency diseases have shown a steep decline over the last two decades, but goitre and iron deficiency anaemia continue to be major public health problems, though some headway has been made with regard to the control of the former. Severe forms of growth retardation in children have declined but the majority suffer from mild and moderate forms of growth retardation.Countries of the Region are in varying stages of developmental transition. Among the burgeoning middle classes in some of these countries there are evidences of escalation of degenerative diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. With increasing life expectancy, geriatric nutritlonal problems will demand increasing attention
文摘Spinicaudatans, a suborder of the abandoned taxonomic group “Conchostraca”, are very useful for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of the non-marine successions, remarkably in otherwise fossil-scarce red beds. Feiyunella, a monospecies spinicaudatan genus, was established based on specimens from sediments of Upper Cretaceous red beds in different localities of Zhejiang Province. The morphological examination under a scanning electron microscope of the type specimens of Feiyunella zhedongensis (Chen and Shen, 1977) has found that the paratype from the Fangyan Formation at Xiaoling of Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, is not Feiyunella, but a younger individual of Linhaiella.
文摘The territory of the Balkan Peninsula in SE Europe is reviewed, from the point of gemmology, as the cradle of gem and decorative minerals and metals in European prehistory. During the local Neolithic period (end of 7 th -6 th millennium BC), as material for tools or for beads, nephrite (with the earliest known Balkan nephrite culture), jadeite-omphacite and quartz (different varieties) were introduced to make pendants and idols. Large quantities of copper and gold artifacts are known since the Chalcolithic period (5 th millennium BC)(unique for the region;the largest in number of gold artifacts is the Varna I Chalcolithic necropolis in Bulgaria). The gemmological materials in the Balkans are known for malachite, antigorite serpentinite, turquoise, rock crystal, carnelian, jasper, jet and obsidian. In the Varna I necropolis (mid 5 th millennium BC) are recorded the first known complex faceted carnelian beads with 32 facets, as well as some of the most important gemmological techniques and procedures such as faceting, tumbling, annealing, miniaturization and standardization. As pigments for pottery, cinnabar, graphite and gold were used in different prehistoric sites. The earliest salt production in the Balkans is known from sites in Romania and Bulgaria, and because of its trade, salt is positively linked to a population rich with prestigious goods. The introduced possible Chalcolithic weight unit “van”(2 carats) is supposed to be the earliest known in prehistoric times.
文摘Background: Universal health coverage implies access to key promoting, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access and service. The mentally-ill belongs to a vulnerable group that has not been given adequate attention especially in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. In September 2015, a health summit was organized in Enugu, South-East Nigeria with the sole aim of strategizing towards achieving universal health coverage in the zone. From all indications, much of the efforts being made towards achieving universal health coverage in the zone are geared towards physical conditions with mental disorders being grossly neglected. Purpose: This position paper briefly highlights the burden of mental disorders in South-East Nigeria;brings to fore the numerous challenges/barriers to effective mental health service delivery in the area;and calls for a positive change before a meaningful health coverage can be achieved in the zone (and by extension in the country). Findings: The burden of mental disorders in south-east Nigeria is heavy. Enormous barriers to mental health services in the area range from ignorance and stigmatization to self-marginalization by the unwillingness of many concerned leaders or hospital chief executives in the area to appreciate mental health and employ or increase the number of mental health professionals. Recommendations: All the stakeholders, from policy makers to consumers should wake up, recognize mental health as an indispensable part of health and take urgent and necessary measures that would ensure the promotion of mental health, prevention and treatment of mental disorders, and appropriate rehabilitation of those with mental illnesses in the zone.
文摘Introduction: Tuberculosis is associated with HIV/AIDS and it has been recognized as one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in persons with HIV. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in people with HIV having an adverse effect on HIV progression. Objectives: The objective is to determine the retroviral disease status of patients on the DOTS strategy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients was seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital from January 2013 to April 2015. Relevant information was collected from patients’ folders. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS and results were represented in tables. Results: 171 patients (77%) were HIV negative while 51 (23%) were positive giving an HIV negative/HIV positive ratio of 3.35:1. 97 patients (43.7%) had 6 months duration of treatment. The least was 2 patients (0.9%) that complied with their medication for 7 months. The 61 - 70 years age group accounted for the least number of HIV-positive patients. Conclusion/Recommendations: There is strong tuberculosis/HIV co-infectivity among the studied population. Strategies to reduce the burden of TB/HIV co-infection should be strengthened.
文摘The study evaluates the factors confronting the present-day construction practices in South-East Nigeria. Being a survey research, questionnaires containing information relating to factors/challenges affecting construction practices were randomly administered to selected construction practitioners in South-Eastern States of Nigeria. Accordingly, a total of 240 questionnaires were administered to the selected respondents while 160 copies were completed, returned and found useful. Thus, giving a response rate of 66.67%. Data collected were analysed and presented using percentages, mean scores, principal and factor analysis, z-test and tables. The study found that the core factors that constrain present-day construction in the study area are issues related to inadequate/dearth of technical and managerial expertise, corruption and poor project planning and control;which significantly affect operational effectiveness of the construction industry in the study area. Therefore, the study concluded by recommending that thorough capacity building through training or retraining programme which should centre on areas of the issues identified should be religiously pursued in the study area.
文摘Aim of this paper is to characterize different risk measures in portfolio construction on seven Central and South-East European stock markets;Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Chez Republic, Bulgaria and Romania. Selected countries are members of EU, except Croatia and Turkey which have candidate status. Empirical part of this paper consists of three stages;at first descriptive statistic on stock returns was performed, afterwards different risk measures were employed in portfolio construction and in the last part, portfolios were tested in the out-of-sample period. Results indicate presence of extreme kurtosis and skewness in stock return series. Resulting portfolios incorporate stocks with extremely high kurtosis and stocks with negative skewness. Portfolio construction based only on risk and return results in major exposure to extreme returns and unsatisfactory portfolio out of sample results.
文摘The sources of large and unique platinum-metal placers were the zonal alkali-ultrabasic massifs be- coming active in the Cretaceous time that gravitated to the periphery of the areal of the North-Asian Superplume （NAS） influence. Origin of the conditions favorable for the formation of the placer platinum presence in the re- gion is governed by the plume ore-generating magmatism of several generations （ in Proterozoie and Phanerozo- ic）. Ultramafite-mafite magmatism was responsible for the origin of the stratified zonal massifs subjected in the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic to the action of granitogene derivations of the NAS. The latter provided the devel- opment of the ore-forming magmagene-fluid-metasomatic processes and favorable conditions for the platinum group elements concentration.
文摘The granitic plutons associated with the Glito-Kpatala shear zone are composed of biotite and amphibole granodiorites, biotite granites, two-mica granites and aplitic granites, which are very poorly represented. The chemical and mineralogical compositions of these facies indicate that they are I type and belong to high-K calc-alkaline series, with a chemical metaluminous character displayed by the granodiorites relative to the biotite and two-mica facies whose chemical compositions vary between metaluminous and peraluminous caracter. The Th/Ta (14.04 - 43.82 ppm, mean = 26.05), Th/U (2.58 to 15.05 ppm, mean = 5.85 ppm), Zr/Hf (25.27 to 37.21, mean = 30.67 ppm) and Rb/Sr (0.16 to 4.32;mean = 1.67 ppm) ratios of these granitoids reveal a strong crustal involvement in their magmatogenesis. Variations in CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O (0.47 - 1.44 ppm), Rb/Sr (0.14 - 0.27 ppm), Rb/Ba (0.07 - 0.14 ppm) and Sr/Y (38.21 - 174.42 ppm) ratios indicate that biotite and amphibole granodiorites with their excessive Ni (135.37 - 139.51 ppm) and Cr (395.73 - 447.74 ppm) were derived from a mafic to intermediate lower continental crust where garnet and/or amphibole were stable residual assemblage minerals. The moderate Sr/Y ratios (1.81 - 9.47 ppm) and low transition elements Ni (1 - 6.44 ppm) and Cr (7.89 - 13.47 ppm) contents in both the two-mica and biotite granites are consistent with their emplacement at relatively shallow depths in the upper to mean continental crust, at pressures below 10 Kbar. In the two-mica granites, moderate CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O (0.20 - 0.57 ppm, mean = 0.38 ppm) and Rb/Ba (0.39 - 1.37, mean = 0.84 ppm) ratios and quite varied Rb/Sr (1.53 - 4.23 ppm, mean = 2.85 ppm) ratios indicate a predominant derivation from psammitic and pelitic metasediments rather than metagreywackes. These low ratios (0.25 ≤ CaO/Na<sub>2</sub>O ≤ 0.32, mean = 0.28 ppm;0.31 ≤ Rb/Ba ≤ 0.44, mean = 0.39 ppm;1.11 ≤ Rb/Sr ≤ 1.78, mean = 0.39 ppm) in biotite granites are more consistent with melting from a metagreywacke-derived source. Evidence for the contribution of mantle-derived mafic magma with granitic magma in the plutons studied is materialized by the presence of magmatic enclaves in both granodiorites and two-mica granites, the volcanic arc geochemical signatures displayed by the plutons in geotectonic diagrams and Nb/Ta ratios (14.14 - 34.61 ppm) closer to mantle estimates. Geochemical data and radiometric dating elements suggest that the granitoids studied can be integrated into the pan-African late magmatic episode, which corresponds between 606 and 583 Ma, to the activity of transcurrent ductile strike-slips and to the synchronous emplacement of high K calc-alkaline plutons in a post-collisional context.
文摘Complicated system(collage)of block structures and orogenic belts had been formed in the S-E of Asia by collision prosesses in Mesozoic and Cenozoic periods. This collage began to form in early Mesozoic as a result of destruction of the continental Proterozoic-Paleozoic crust and movements of large terreines.Indosinian and Yangtze blocks(small plates)are the most characteristic block-terranes of the region; Myanmar and Songpan block systems are less representative. Variouse types of collision belts are situated between these blocks and on the periphery of the plates. They consist of concordant folded systems and shear zones. Some of these systems and shear
基金supported by the Commission on Higher Education,Ministry of Education,The Center of Excellence Research FundCU Centenary Academic Development Project+1 种基金Chulalongkorn University,King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital,MK Restaurant Company Limited and the National Research University Project of CHEthe Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund(HR1155A)
文摘Objective:To understand the epidemiology of the East,Central and South African(ECSA) genotype of Chikungunya virus(CHIKV) in terms of emerging and re-emerging infections,this study has been aimed at investigating the evolutionary parameters,genomic signatures and molecular tracking of the CHIKV ECSA genotype in South-east Asia and coastal areas of the Indian Ocean between 2006 and 2009 by using phylogenetie analysis and the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo(BMCMC) evolutionary estimation.Methods:Nearly complete genome sequences of 53 CHIKV isolates from all genotypes were subjected to phylogenetie analysis and evolutionary parameter estimation.The amino acids of 67 of ECSA genotype during 2006 to 2009 were compared for finding molecular signature tracking.The ECSA genotype signatures were visualized to find the possible transmission root was projected onto a geographic map.Results: Phylogenetie analysis showed the ECSA genotype was divided into 2 groups.The first group comprises viruses from India and Southeast Asian countries.The second group consists of strains typically circulating in Sri Lanka in 2008.The evolutionary parameters of these groups depicted the time of the most recent common ancestor at approximately 7.5 years ago.The genomic signatures revealed the positions of amino acid variation in each group.Conclusions:The molecular evolution projected onto a geographical map showed the routes of CHIKV transmission from 2006 to 2009.Molecular tracking will assist in understanding transmission routes, epidemiology and molecular evolution of CHIKV.
文摘The Agulhas Current is a major western boundary current flowing polewards on the southeast coast of South Africa.This analysis assesses its characteristics and suitability to generate power as a source of clean renewable energy.On a section of coastline some 400 km long,over a period spanning more than 5 years an extensive set of current measurements was obtained.These data confirmed that south-westward currents with a speed greater than 1.2 m s^(-1)occurred over more than 60%of the recorded time;such ocean current speeds compare very favourably to winds required for energy generation.These currents occurred at the continental shelf break in water depths around 100 m,in the upper 50 m of the water column.Occasional current slowdowns and reversals did occur,with the major influence coming from‘Natal Pulses’,which are large-scale meanders in the Current that temporarily reversed the currents at the measurement sites.However,because of the surface temperature structure of the relevant water masses,such meanders can be identified in satellite imagery giving a few days advance warning of such current reversals.The characteristics of western boundary currents have been known for many years,but at Present,there is no operational system where this source of power is being utilised.It has tremendous potential for renewable energy generation,but is symptomatic of the many engineering challenges that still have to be solved to make such generation economically viable.
