Bootstrap Approach to Correlation Analysis of Two Mineral Components in a Geological Field

In this article we considered pairs bootstrap through a truncated geometric bootstrap method for stationary time series data. Construction of valid inferential procedures through the estimates of standard error, coefficient of variation and other measures of statistical precision such as bootstrap confidence interval were considered. The method was used to confirm the correlation between Silicon Oxide (SiO2) and Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) from a geological data. A typical problem is that can these components exist together or they are mutually exclusive. We attempt to solve these problem through bootstrap approach to correlation analysis and show that pair bootstrap method through truncated geometric bootstrap method for stationary process revealed the correlation coefficient between Silicon oxide (SiO2) and Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) from the same geological field.  The computed measure of statistical precisions such as standard error, coefficient of variation and bootstrap-t confidence interval revealed the correlation analysis of the bivariate stochastic processes of SiO2 and Al2O3 components from the same geological field. The correlation analysis of the bivariate stochastic process of SiO2 and Al2O3 components through bootstrap method discussed in this paper revealed that the correlation coefficient are negative and bootstrap confidence intervals are negatively skewed for all bootstrap replicates. This implies that as one component increases, the other component decreases, which mean that the two components are mutually exclusive and the abundance of one mineral prevents the other in the same oil reservoir of the same geological field. Key words: Pair bootstrap, standard error, coefficient of variation, bootstrap-t confidence interval and correlation analysis

Treatment with methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn.) leaf reversibly normalizes urine protein-creatinine ratio in Wistar rat model of gentamicin-induced kidney injury

Background: Due to its rapid onset of action, high antibacterial efficacy and low cost, gentamicin (GEN) is still been used (particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries) despite its nephrotoxic antibiotic effects. Experimental ethno-botanical evaluations are imperative in a world with increasing incidence of kidney injury; a condition that is expensive to treat or manage.Aim: Effects of methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn.) leaf (MOGL) on urine proteincreatinine ratio (UPC) was determined in rats with GEN-induced kidney injury. Methods: This study involved the use of 50 rats such that graded doses of MOGL (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) were administered following 8 days exposure to GEN (100 mg/kg i.p) and comparison were made against the control, toxic, 2 weeks and 4 weeks MOGL treatment groups at p <0.05. Results: GEN induced nephrotoxicity as depicted by significant perturbations in plasma and urine levels of creatinine and total protein (p <0.05); significantly lowered creatinine clearance and abnormal elevations of UPC as well as deleterious alterations of the kidney antioxidant system (GSH and TBARS) (p <0.05). Histopathological examination showed glomerular atrophy, formation of densely eosinophilic/ colloid cast within the tubules and severe loss of cellular constituents in the medullary interstitium. When compared with the control, these conditions were significantly normalized after 2 week MOGL treatment (p <0.05) with a deleterious reversal from normalcy at 4 week MOGL treatment (p <0.05).Conclusion: This study substantiated that MOGL has therapeutic potentials that becomes deleterious after sub-chronic administration in rat model of GEN-induced kidney injury.Key words: Gentamicin, renal function test, Ocimum gratissimum, urine protein-creatinine ratio, creatinine clearance, antioxidant syste

COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Early Transmission Dynamics in Nigeria

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 originally identified in December 2019, based on the data issued by March 30, 2020 daily report, the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 so far has caused 693224 cases and resulted in 33106 deaths in more than 200 countries. Referring to the data reported, World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic. Several Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19), showed high transmission capacity and morbidity. In this way, WHO suggests that the most efficient method for controlling transmission is social isolation/quarantine to the population. New cases of the pandemic arose everyday but Nigeria recorded its first death in 23rd March, 2020. The study used a secondary data culled from Worldometer from March 23, 2020 – May 5, 2020. The study examined the polynomial relationship between day and new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria and also check whether new cases will be predicted. Though, linear regression model was fitted to check the model that best fit the data. Result showedthat days had a positive effect on new cases and was found significant at P-value < 0.01 (1% significance level) for both linear and non-linear regression model. It was also revealed that nonlinear regression model best fit the model with an improved adjusted R square. It was established that there is a statistically significant relationship between days and new cases.However, government should take proper measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus and law enforcement the measures should be put into consideration. Keywords: Coronavirus, relationship, New cases, New death, Model DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-9-02 Publication date:May 31st 202

An Assessment of Factors Affecting Productivity of Key Building Trades in Southwestern Nigeria

Building construction projects suffers various problems and complex factors such as cost, timing, quality, safety and other salient factors which are like incipient delay to the successful completion of building projects. The aim of this research is to identify factors affecting skilled labour performance and analyse the main factors affecting the productivity of artisans in building construction projects in southwestern Nigeria. Literature on factors as recommended by experts were considered and categorized into five groups with each group containing at least four subgroups. These factors were evaluated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) based on the primary data collected via structured questionnaire. The method of analysis used are chi-square test, ANOVA test, co-efficient of determination test, hypothesis testing were all carried out to ascertain the effect of these factors on professionals and artisans in achieving the expectation of embarking on such building construction project. It was concluded that a detailed schedule of human, material and logistic must be planned and supplied in order to reduce time taken, cost, effect of weather, inadequate supervision, adverse effect of concerned authority ,alcoholism, insufficient material, unnecessary delay and waste of both human and material resources. In addition, it is recommended to develop human resources in the building construction industry through proper and continuous training programme. All these will successfully create an enabling environment and action towards completing building projects based on approved specification. Keywords: Building Construction, Skilled Labour, Questionnaire, ANOVA Test, Human Resources. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-3-02 Publication date: February 28th 202

Effect of dosage of vitamin E on physiological and blood parameters in growing Arbor acre pullets under humid tropical conditions

One hundred and forty-four growing Arbor acre broiler breeder pullets were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (dL-á-tocopheryl acetate; VE)  on physiological and blood responses. The birds aged 21 days were randomly assigned to 4 treatments comprising 0, 50, 100, 150mgVE/kg of diet, with 3 replicates per treatment till day 84. Data obtained for rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), skin temperature under  wing (STW) and on the breast (STB), haematology and plasma biochemistry were subjected to analysis of variance. In female chickens, VE significantly (p<0.05) affected HR, STW, WBC, heterophil, lymphocyte and H/L ratio but did not affect RT, RR, STB, PCV, RBC, Hb concentration, eosinophil, monocyte, basophil, MCV, MCH, MCHC and biochemical parameters. Only pullets on 100mg/kg VE had lower HR than the control group.  For STW, 50mg/kg VE had lower value than the control. VE, irrespective of dosage, increased (p<0.05) WBC and lymphocyte in pullets compared to control group. Except in 100mg/kg feed group, heterophil and H/L ratio in pullets on 50 and 150mg/kg feed recorded lower values than the control. VE administration of at least 50mg/kg in the diet of growing broiler breeder chickens might help in decreasing skin temperature, improving  immunity and reducing stress under hot conditions. Keywords: tocopherol; heat stress; broiler breeder; blood; haematology; plasma biochemistr