Monetary and fiscal policy interactions in Nigeria: An application of a state-space model with Markov-switching

This paper uses quarterly data to explore the monetary and fiscal policy interactions in Nigeria between 1970 and 2008. As a preliminary exercise, the paper examines the nature of fiscal policies in Nigeria using a vector autoregression (VAR) model. The simulated generalized impulse response graphs generated from the VAR estimation provides evidence of a non-Ricardian fiscal policy in Nigeria. Further, the paper analyzes the interactions between monetary and fiscal policies by applying a State-space model with Markov-switching to estimate the time-varying parameters of the relationship. The evidence indicates that monetary and fiscal policies in Nigeria have interacted in a counteractive manner for most of the sample period (1980-1994). At other periods, we do not observe any systematic pattern of interaction between the two policy variables, although, between 1998 and 2008, some form of accommodativeness can be inferred. Overall, the results suggest that the two policy regimes (counteractive and accommodative) have been weak strategic substitutes during the post 1970 (Civil War) period. For the policy maker, our results imply the existence of fiscal dominance in the interactions between monetary and fiscal policies in Nigeria, implying that inflation, predominantly results from fiscal problems, and not from lack of monetary control

AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

Bacterial Contamination Associated with Mobile Cell Phones among Undergraduate Students of Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Mobile cell phones are extensively used globally. This study was aimed at determining bacterial contamination associated with mobile cell phones among undergraduate students of Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. One hundred swab samples from mobile cell phones were randomly collected from the students’ cell phones between August 2019 and December 2019. Demographic factors like age, gender, mobile phone type, storing of mobile cell phones, cleaning habits and use in toilets were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The samples were analysed using standard microbiological techniques. The data collected were analysed using percentile and SPSS version 20.0. The value (p<0.01) was statistically considered to have significant associations.  Microbial analysis showed that 70 nondisinfected samples were contaminated by eight diverse types of bacteria, which included  Escherichia sp., Salmonella sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp and Enterobacter sp. The swabbed cell phones of females (56.3%) were more contaminated than those of males (43.7%) with bacterial load count of 41.9 x 103 and 28.8 x 103 CFU/mL among females and males, respectively. The mobile cell phones used in toilets (75.0%) were highly  contaminated by bacteria. Users who did not cut their nails had higher contamination (69.4%) than those users who cut their nails (34.3; p = 0.01). The age of mobile cell phones within 6 – 12 months had 55.5% for females and 23.5% for males. This study showed that  mobile cell phones harbor bacteria liable for causing health threats to handlers. Therefore, awareness programs concerning hand hygiene and discouraging their use in toilets to avoid causing severe health consequences. The use of disinfectants to wipe mobile cell phones whenever contamination is encountered is advocated to safeguard public health. Keywords: Mobile Cell Phone, Swabs, Microbes, Contaminatio

AQUATIC PHYCOMYCETES AND ASCOMYCETOUS FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ARTEMISIA ANNUA L. PLANTATION SOIL IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Survey was carried out on the ascomycetous and aquatic fungi present in the soil of University of Jos Artemisia annua Plantation in Gangnum, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Portions of the soil samples collected from three (3) locations were steamed in glass beaker placed in a steamer for 4-10 minutes at 100o C before inoculation. Fungal isolation was carried out using soil plate method incubated at 25 ± 2o C. Aquatic phycomycetes were isolated using baits. Two (2) genera of aquatic phycomycetes were isolated, including Achyla dubia and Allomyces arbuscular. Fifty–eight ascomycetous fungi were also isolated from the soil samples. The predominant ascomycetous fungi isolated include among others; Chaetomium bastrychodes, C. cancriodeum, C. cochloides, C. globosum, C. nigricolor, C. senegalensis, C. spirale, Aspergillus candidus A. flavus, A. fumigatus , A. glaucus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, F. avenaceum, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. solani, F. sporitrichioides, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. citrinum, P.notatum, P.expansum, Trichoderma harzianum, T. piluliferum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sp, Curvularia lunata, Scopulariopsis sp, Torula herbarum, Unidentified sp and a Basidiomycete. The physico-chemical properties of the soil samples were found to be varied, and were found to affect the distribution and population of fungi. The soil was found to be high in organic matter content which could have been as a result of activities of the species of fungi numerous in the soil. The implications of the results are discussed

Comparative Effects of Trichoderma species on Growth Parameters and Yield of Zea mays (L.)

The effects of two Trichoderma species (T. harzianum and T. koningii) on number of leaf, stem height, leaf length, leaf area and yield of maize was investigated at the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Rivers State University. Trichoderma species were isolated from a contaminated mushroom at Dilomat Farms and Services Limited, Rivers State University. The species were applied on maize as follows: T. koningii combine with T. harzianum, T. koningii only and T. harzianum only; they were replicated thrice at 10-3 spores/ml, 10-5 spores/ml and 10-7 spores/ml levels of concentration. The results showed significant differences in the number of leaf, stem height, leaf length, and leaf area at 5ml and 10ml at six weeks after planting, but no significant difference was recorded on the growth parameters at 10-3 spores/ml concentration. The highest percentage yield (%Y) increase was observed at 10-7 spores/ml in T. koningii+T. harzianum combination with 61% increase in yield followed by10-3 spores/ml in T. harzianum with (40%) yield increase when compared to the control that had 18% yield increase. Trichoderma species have positive effects on all the growth parameters at the various concentration levels. For best results, combination of T. koningii and T. harzianum should be used to promote high yield in maize

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND PROTEOLYTIC POTENTIALS OF FUNGAL FLORA OF SOILS STRESSED BY TANNERY WASTES IN JOS, NIGERIA

The physico-chemical parameters and proteolytic potentials of fungal population in soils stressed by tannery wastes were investigated. The fungal species were isolated using hair baiting technique. Sabouraud Dextose Agar (SDA) medium was used for the isolation work. The pH, percentage moisture/organic matter contents and elemental analysis of the soil samples were assessed. The assessment of the soils polluted with tannery wastes was compared with that of the control sample collected from soils devoid of tannery activities. The results of the physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples showed the pH values of the soils to be 7.32, 7.53 and 6.46 for soils collected from Naraguta tannery (SNG), Dodo Street tannery (SDS) and College of Forestry, Jos (SCF control) respectively. The percentage moisture content values recorded for the soil samples from the two tanneries were higher than that of the control soil. The nitrogen level of the soil samples ranged from 0.010-0.19% while phosphorus ranged from 1.4-24mg/kg. The sodium levels were between 1.0-2.0mg/kg while the calcium levels ranged from 900-5080mg/kg. Twenty-one fungi species belonging to 12 genera were isolated from the experimental soil samples. Three of the genera including Cunninghamella elegans, Mucor haemalis and Rhizopus sp belong to the class phycomycetes. Others belong to the class hyphomycetes. Aspergillus niger had the highest number of isolation as well as highest frequencies of occurrence. Nine fungal species produced zones of clearance on the skim milk casein agar medium used for the assay of proteolytic activity indicating their potentials as keratin degraders

Effects of Solubilised Orange Peels on the Occurrence of some Fungal Soil-borne Pathogens of Zea mays (L.)

This work examined the use of Trichoderma solubilised orange peel to inhibit the occurrence and growth of some fungal pathogens associated with soil-borne diseases of maize (Zea mays). The study was conducted in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology demonstration plot, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Trichoderma species were isolated from contaminated mushroom substrates at Dilomat Farms and Services Limited, Rivers State University. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peels were collected from a local market at the Port Harcourt Metropolis, air-dried for seven days and ground to powder. The treatments were Trichoderma harzianum+orange peel, T. koningii+orange peel, orange peels only, T. harzianum only, T. koningii only, T. harzianum+T. koningii and Soil only. The layout was a completely randomized design with three replications and concentrations at 5g/15ml, 10g/15ml and 15g/15ml which were applied to the soil at the interval of two weeks for 10 weeks. Pythium spp, Fusarium spp, Rhizoctona spp and Phytopthora spp were isolated and identified at three weeks and ten weeks of treatments. Average number of individual colonies of soil mycoflora in the various treatments at the three concentration levels varied relatively and the total number and frequency of occurrence decreased as the number of weeks of treatments increased. There was relatively high occurrence of soil-borne pathogens of maize at 5g/15ml concentration, but 10g/15ml concentration recorded less whereas 15g/15ml had the least occurrence. However, the frequency of occurrence was very high on the control experiment. Frequency of soil-borne fungal pathogens of maize decreased with increase in concentration as well as Trichoderma spp occurrence in the soil across the treatments when compared to their controls. The treatments had higher inhibitory effects on all the soil-borne pathogens of maize at 15g/15ml at 10 WAP

A MYCOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AIR QUALITY IN FLOOD-PRONE HOMES WITHIN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE

Air quality of three hundred (300) flood prone homes was assessed for the presence of fungal spores during the rainy season between September and November, 2015. Sixty (60) randomly selected households in five council wards namely Wakwa, Makama, Gayam, Ciroma and Akurba wards were assessed using the Koch sedimentation method by gravitational settlement on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Identification of isolates followed colonial and microscopic methods. Seventy-one fungal genera and species were identified, with Aspergillus niger (179; 59.7%) being the most predominant. Aspergillus niger was most isolated in Wakwa (40; 22.3%), Makama (31; 17.3%) and Gayam (51; 28.5%) wards while Bipolaris sp (40; 35.4%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (33; 28.2%) dominated isolates in Ciroma and Akurba wards respectively. The number of isolated genera and species in the wards was in the order Akurba (51) > Makama (42) > Wakwa (38) > Ciroma (36) > Gayam (32), while total frequency were 292, 290, 283, 274 and 249 in Akurba, Wakwa, Gayam, Ciroma and Makama respectively. The highest and least mean relative humidity obtained in the study were (76.3%) and (52.5%) respectively. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the mean relative humidity, number and total frequency of isolates in the wards. Homes that reared animals were more contaminated with fungal species than those that did not. The study has revealed unhealthy presence of fungal pathogens in the homes, a conducive environment for the proliferation of fungi and therefore advocates necessary actions to reduce flooding in Lafia local government area of Nasarawa Stat

Occupational Predisposition to Dermatophytes and other Agents of Human Dermatitis in Jos, Nigeria

Five hundred and twenty human samples were collected from patients with dermatitis, who visited the Dermatophilosis research laboratory in Jos, Plateau  State, Nigeria. This was in order to determine occupational predisposition to dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis. Samples collected were skin scrapping, nails, hair and pus exudates. They were processed according to standard procedure. Four hundred and thirty-three (83.3%) of the collected samples were positive for dermatophytes and other agents of dermatitis. The breakdown of the result along occupational categories were; Students (38.10%), Civil servants (31.64%), Self-employed (12.93%), Housewives (9.24%), Unemployed (4.16%) and Farmers (3.93%). The dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes had the highest frequency of occurrence in Civil servants (28), Students (26) House wives (8) and Unemployed (5). While Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency with the Farmers (4) and Self-employed (11). The students’ were noticed to be more predisposed to dermatophytes and other agents of dermatitis than any other category as a result of poor environmental hostel conditions that facilitate easy spread of infections and their unhealthy habit of sharing clothing and personal items. A vigorus public awareness on the risk involved in unhealthy and unhygienic habits could reduce the spread of these organisms. @JASEMJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 97 - 10