Assessment of site suitability for centralized photovoltaic power stations in Northwest China's six provinces.

Northwest China has abundant solar energy resources and extensive land, making it a pivotal site for solar energy development. However, restrictions on site selection and severe weather conditions have hindered the establishment and operation of photovoltaic (PV) power stations. Previous studies have not considered meteorological factors when evaluating site suitability, leading to research gaps in identifying suitable areas and establishing indicator systems. We aimed to address these gaps by considering seven factors constraining the construction of centralized PV power stations (CPPS) and developing an indicator system based on terrain, climate, soil, and economic factors. Furthermore, we conducted analyses to quantify the solar energy generation potential (SEGP), carbon emissions reduction benefits, and land utilization potential at different sites. The findings indicate that areas rated as very suitable and extremely suitable comprised the largest proportion (62.35%) of site suitability. The correlation between site suitability and electricity consumption was largely non-significant, highlighting the need for enhanced coordination. Additionally, we forecast the electricity consumption in Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Shaanxi for 2030 to be 56.62, 19.86, 54.54, 13.59, 15.96, and 33.34 ( × 1011 kWh), respectively, with corresponding carbon emissions reduction potentials of 20.2, 7.1, 19.4, 4.8, 5.7, and 11.9 ( × 109 kg). Consequently, PV carbon reduction and land utilization potential are substantial.

Assessing desertification vulnerability and mitigation strategies in northern Nigeria: A comprehensive approach.

Desertification constitutes a grave threat to the environmental and socio-economic stability of desertification frontline states in Northern Nigeria. From 2003 to 2020, this research comprehensively analyzes desertification vulnerability, integrating parameters such as NDVI, LST, TVDI, MSAVI, and Albedo. Key factors contributing to land degradation are identified, along with the spatial patterns and trends of desertification over the two-decade period. The consequences are profound, with Northern Nigeria's ecosystem experiencing a steady decline in vegetation cover. Agriculture, vital to the region's economy, faces increased aridity and reduced arable land, jeopardizing food security. Diminishing water resources exacerbates scarcity issues, placing additional strain on communities. These environmental changes lead to severe socio-economic implications, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks. Urgent, comprehensive, and strategic interventions are imperative. Policy recommendations underscore revising and enforcing land use regulations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and establishing monitoring systems to guide decision-making. This research contributes practical strategies to enhance the resilience of desertification frontline states, safeguard livelihoods, and align with Nigeria's sustainable development objectives. Findings from the study indicate that only a tiny percentage (6.7 %) of the study area remains unaffected by desertification. Moreover, 13.3 % exhibit light vulnerability, 20 % demonstrate moderate exposure, and 60 % fall into the severe (26.7 %) and compelling (33.3 %) vulnerability categories. These statistics underscore the gravity of desertification in the study area, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to address its impact comprehensively.

Projected patterns of land uses in Africa under a warming climate.

Land-use change is a direct driver of biodiversity loss, projection and future land use change often consider a topical issue in response to climate change. Yet few studies have projected land-use changes over Africa, owing to large uncertainties. We project changes in land-use and land-use transfer under future climate for three specified time periods: 2021-2040, 2041-2060, and 2081-2100, and compares the performance of various scenarios using observational land-use data for the year 2020 and projected land-use under seven Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Scenarios (SSP): SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP4-3.4, SSP4-6.0 and SSP5-8.5 from 2015 to 2100 in Africa. The observational land-use types for the year 2020 depict a change and show linear relationship between observational and simulated land-use with a strong correlation of 0.89 (P < 0.01) over Africa. Relative to the reference period (1995-2014), for (2021-2040), (2041-2060), (2081-2100), barren land and forest land are projected to decrease by an average of (6%, 11%, 16%), (9%, 19%, 38%) respectively, while, crop land, grassland and urban land area are projected to increase by (36%, 58%, and 105%), (4%, 7% and 11%), and (139%, 275% and 450%) respectively. Results show a substantial variations of land use transfer between scenarios with major from barren land to crop land, for the whole future period (2015-2100). Although SSP4-3.4 project the least transfer. Population and GDP show a relationship with cropland and barren land. The greatest conversion of barren land to crop land could endanger biodiversity and have negative effects on how well the African continent's ecosystem's function.

Determinants of obstructed labour and associated outcomes in 54 referral hospitals in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of obstructed labour, associated risk factors and outcomes across a network of referral hospitals in Nigeria. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: A total of 54 referral-level hospitals across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria. POPULATION: Pregnant women who were diagnosed with obstructed labour during childbirth and subsequently underwent an emergency caesarean section between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020. METHODS: Secondary analysis of routine maternity care data sets. Random-effects multivariable logistic regression was used to ascertain the factors associated with obstructed labour. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for obstructed labour and related postpartum complications, including intrapartum stillbirth, maternal death, uterine rupture, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis. RESULTS: Obstructed labour was diagnosed in 1186 (1.7%) women. Among these women, 31 (2.6%) cases resulted in maternal death and 199 (16.8%) cases resulted in postpartum complications. Women under 20 years of age (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.50-2.75), who lacked formal education (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55-2.30), were unemployed (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.57-2.41), were nulliparous (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.83-2.43), did not receive antenatal care (OR 3.34, 95% CI 2.53-4.41) or received antenatal care in an informal healthcare setting (OR 8.18, 95% CI 4.41-15.14) were more likely to experience obstructed labour. Ineffective referral systems were identified as a major contributor to maternal death. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable factors contributing to the prevalence of obstructed labour and associated adverse outcomes in Nigeria can be addressed through targeted policies and clinical interventions.

Integration of medicinal plants into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

This study was designed to explore and record various medicinal plants integrated into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer. The traditional system of medicine is a routine practiced among the indigenous ethnic groups of Sokoto state. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and used for data collection around the selected Local Government Areas. A substantial number of plant species were identified, recorded, and collected for preservation. Data collected for each specie was analysed to assess its frequent use among the medicinal plants. A total of 67 species belonging to 31 families have been identified and recorded. Out of the 473 frequency of citation (FC), Acacia nilotica was the most frequently cited specie (32 FC, 64% FC, 0.6 RFC), followed by Guiera senegalensis (27 FC, 54% FC, 0.5 RFC), Erythrina sigmoidea (17 FC, 34% FC, 0.3 RFC), and subsequently Combretum camporum (15 FC, 30% FC, 0.3 RFC). The most common parts of the plants used include the barks (55.2%), the roots (53.2%), and the leaves (41.8%). Additionally, decoction (74.6%), powdered form (49.3%), and maceration (46.3%) are the most frequently used mode of preparation. The historical knowledge of a traditional system of medicine practiced by the native traditional healers of Sokoto for the treatment of cancer has been documented. The present study further provides a baseline for future pharmacological investigations into the beneficial effects of such medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer.

Antimalarial activity of crude extracts from nine African medicinal plants.

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in Comores (Ngazidja) about plant species used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, including malaria. Antimalarial activity of 76 vegetal extracts obtained from 17 species traditionally used to treat malaria symptoms, was evaluated in vitro using Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-resistant strain (W2). Antiproliferative activity was evaluated on human monocytic THP1 cells and the selectivity index of the plant extracts was calculated. The results showed that 10 plant extracts had a moderate activity (5