An HCI Speech-Based Architecture for Man-To-Machine and Machine-To-Man Communication in Yorùbá Language

Man communicates with man by natural language, sign language, and/or gesture but communicates with machine via electromechanical devices such as mouse, and keyboard.  These media of effecting Man-To-Machine (M2M) communication are electromechanical in nature. Recent research works, however, have been able to achieve some high level of success in M2M using natural language, sign language, and/or gesture under constrained conditions. However, machine communication with man, in reverse direction, using natural language is still at its infancy. Machine communicates with man usually in textual form. In order to achieve acceptable quality of end-to-end M2M communication, there is need for robust architecture to develop a novel speech-to-text and text-to-speech system. In this paper, an HCI speech-based architecture for Man-To-Machine and Machine-To-Man communication in Yorùbá language is proposed to carry Yorùbá people along in the advancement taking place in the world of Information Technology. Dynamic Time Warp is specified in the model to measure the similarity between the voice utterances in the sound library. In addition, Vector Quantization, Guassian Mixture Model and Hidden Markov Model are incorporated in the proposed architecture for compression and observation. This approach will yield a robust Speech-To-Text and Text-To-Speech system. Keywords: Yorùbá Language, Speech Recognition, Text-To-Speech, Man-To-Machine, Machine-To-Ma

Effective Service Delivery of Nigeria’s Public Primary Education: The Role of Non-State Actors

The study examines and analyses the role of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in public provision of primary education in Nigeria using descriptive and econometric techniques. The analysis demonstrates that the major source of funding of public primary education in Nigeria flows from the Federal Government to the State government and finally to the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA). The study shows that NSAs’ activities are mainly the provision of school inputs with little or no role monitoring and management of public primary schools. It was found that the presence of private school inspectors has significant positive effect on pupils’ performance. Parents occupation and household qualities especially type of building were found to have positive impact on the pupils’ performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for adequate involvement of NSAs in the management of public primary schools and improved inspection of schools as ways of improving the quality of primary education in Nigeria

Outcome of intrauterine adhesion management at a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a five-year review

Background: Intrauterine adhesion is a cause of menstrual abnormalities and infertility, which are leading complaints in gynaecological practice in Nigeria. Determining the aetiology and management option would help reduce this problem. The objective of this study was to determine the aetiology, mode of presentation, management option and outcome of intrauterine adhesionsMethods: A retrospective analysis of intrauterine adhesions at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital over a five-year period from 2012 to 2016 was carried out. The case notes of the patients were retrieved from the records department and information extracted from these case notes using a questionnaire included the age, level of education, marital status, parity, complaints, predisposing factors, method of diagnosis, treatment method and outcome. Additional information was obtained from the theatre registered. The least follow up period was one year.Results: There were 82 patients diagnosed with Intrauterine Adhesion over the study period giving an incidence of 1.6%. Fifty-nine case notes were available for analysis. The case note retrieval rate was 72%. Majority of the patients were between the age range of 30-34 years (21, 35.6%). Those with tertiary level of education constituted the majority (34, 57%). Nullipara constituted 54.2% (32) of the total population. Menstrual abnormalities were the most common complaint with 93.2% and this includes those with menstrual abnormalities and other complaints. The commonest predisposing factor identified was a history of dilatation and curettage or uterine evacuation (28, 47.5%). Majority of the patients had partial intrauterine adhesions (51, 86.4%). All patients were treated with adhesiolysis, Foleys catheter insertion and hormonal therapy for 3 cycles. There was not statistical significance between those who had blind adhesiolysis and hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in terms of outcome. Restoration of menstrual flow was in 25, (42.4%) while 3, (5.1%) had miscarriges and an equal no of patients had term delivery.Conclusions: Dilatation and curettage is still a major predisposing factor in the development of intrauterine Adhesions. Blind adhesiolysis still has its place in the management of intrauterine adhesion in developing countries

EVALUATION OF TWO ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES IN SINGLE PHASE FEEDING OF BROILER CHICKENS

A study was carried out to compare the use of blood meal and fish meal as protein sources in single phase feeding of broiler chickens.  Three isonitrogenious and isocaloric diets containing between 20.5 to 21.1 % CP and 3440 to 3454 kcal/kg ME were formulated. The control diet contained none of the animal protein sources while the other two diets contained blood meal and fish meal at 6%, respectively. After six weeks of straight feeding, data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was calculated. Carcass characteristics and cost benefit were also calculated. The results indicated that birds fed fish meal based diet  consumed more feed (p< 0.05) than those on control diet,  while intake of those on blood meal based diet  was an interphase between the control and fish meal based diet groups. The birds fed fish meal based diet also recorded higher (p< 0.05) daily weight gain than those on control and blood meal based diets. Feed conversion ratio was better in the group fed fish meal based diet than those fed the control diet, but similar (p> 0.05) to the group fed the blood meal based diet. The dressing percentage of the birds was similar (p>0.05) in the control and blood meal based diet groups, but they were higher (p<0.05) than the fish meal based diet group. The neck, back, drumstick and head were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the control group than in the groups containing animal protein. Cost benefit analysis showed that feed cost and cost per kg weight gain were higher (p< 0.05) in fish meal based diet group than in control and blood meal based diet groups. Revenue per bird and gross margin were higher (p< 0.05) in the blood meal based diet group than in the control diet and fish meal based diet groups. In conclusion, fast growing broiler chickens for eatery houses can be better reared with a single diet of 21 % CP and 3440 kcal/kg ME using blood meal as a protein source.   Keywords: , , , , , , &nbsp

Effective Service Delivery of Nigeria’s Public Primary Education: The Role of Non-State Actors

The study examines and analyses the role of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in public provision of primary education in Nigeria using descriptive and econometric techniques. The analysis demonstrates that the major source of funding of public primary education in Nigeria flows from the Federal Government to the State government and finally to the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA). The study shows that NSAs’ activities are mainly the provision of school inputs with little or no role monitoring and management of public primary schools. It was found that the presence of private school inspectors has significant positive effect on pupils’ performance. Parents occupation and household qualities especially type of building were found to have positive impact on the pupils’ performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends the need for adequate involvement of NSAs in the management of public primary schools and improved inspection of schools as ways of improving the quality of primary education in Nigeri

Pattern of rural-urban acquisition of pfcrt T76 allele among Nigerian children with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains a public health problem in Nigerian children with treatment complicated by expansion of chloroquine resistant strains known to harbour a common K76T point mutation in their pfcrt alleles. Here, we report the outcome of a 2 – year (March 2000 – February 2002) molecular surveillance for pfcrtT76 in children aged 6 months – 13 years with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in rural and urban Lagos, Nigeria. Rural-urban pfcrtT76 acquisition of 48.7 vs. 73.7% and 67.3 vs. 74.6% due to monoclonal and polyclonal P. falciparum parasitaemia, respectively, were found in the two study years, suggesting unstable but increasing prevalence of pfcrt T76 allele acquisition in the rural area. Further analyses showed that acquisition of pfcrtT76 allele was independent of sex but occurred more in ≤ 5 – year old children than older children in both populations. The impacts of K76T mutation in pfcrt gene and immunity on the clinical efficacy of chloroquine against acute uncomplicated malaria are discussed.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (4), pp. 361-366, 200

Variation of Ocean Wave Velocity with Ocean Depth Based on a Cubic Polynomial Fit Expression

Abstract: Various external forces influences water movements in an homogenous sea. The topographic equations governing the topographic waves in an homogenous sea have been elaborated in this study. The computational analysis pertinent to delineating the topographic waves in the homogenous sea has been emphasized. The bottom slope and friction factor determines the variation trend of the resultant ocean velocity and the surface ocean depth and generated results for this have been presented in this study. Interestingly, a cubic polynomial fit expression has been made available expressing the relationship between the ocean wave velocity and the ocean depth

Trends in female sterilization in north central Nigeria

Background: Contraception is key to the reduction of maternal mortality. Tubal ligation is a good option for women seeking out a safe, effective, permanent and convenient form of contraceptive. However, due to variety of reasons, there is aversion to it especially in developing world. The objective of this study was to determine the trends, uptake, socio-demographic characteristics of acceptors, indications and complications of bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) in our environment.Methods: A retrospective study of BTL at UATH was conducted over a five year period, from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The records of women who had BTL were retrieved from the medical records department, family planning clinic, and the theatre. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.Results: The mean age and parity were 36.0±4.0 and 5.0±2.0 respectively. The incidence of BTL was 1.3%. Majority of those that had BTL had at least secondary level of education 100 (83.4%) and 58 (48.3%) were grand multiparous. Majority of cases 87 (72.5%) were done during caesarean section/laparotomy. Postpartum BTL accounted for 15.0%, while interval BTL accounted for 12.5%. Completed family size was the commonest indication 48.3%. No client came back with regrets. There was one case of failed BTL.Conclusions: BTL is a safe and effective method of sterilization. There is an increasing trend in utilization of BTL however the rate is still low

GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF LATERITIC SOIL STABILIZED WITH YAM PEEL ASH FOR SUBGRADE CONSTRUCTION

Consequent upon problems encountered vis -a -vis the engineering properties of lateritic soil for the purpose of construction of road pavements in Africa, especially in - East and some part of South – West regions bearing capacity of some sub-grade soils have been found to be low considering the loads imposed on the surface which are transferred down to the sub-grade. The methods employed previously in the stabilization of soils is have been the use of cement, lime, bitumen and lean concrete which are very expensive and also cause environmental hazards and health problems especially to construction workers. In view of these setbacks, this research investigated the effect of stabilization with more economical and hazard free stabilizer such as yam peel ash on the geotechnical properties of lateritic soils. Soil sample was collected from a lateritic soil subgrade of chainage 1 + 500 to 2 + 000 along Ikirun to Osogbo Road, Osun State, Nigeria. It was collected at a depth of not less than 150mm below the ground surface using the disturbed sampling technique. The natural moisture content was determined and the other soil was air-dried to carry the laboratory tests such as (atterberg limits, compaction, sieve analysis, California Bearing Ratio (CBR.), and specific gravity. The Yam Peel Ash, YPA [dioscorea] was used as replacement by weight of dry soil at different percentages (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%). The CBR values obtained from the results of untreated lateritic soil was 29% while the optimum CBR values obtained for the stabilized lateritic soil 40% at 6% YPA content. The effect of YPA stabilization on the geotechnical properties of lateritic soil brings considerable improvement on the physical Engineering characteristics of the lateritic soils as evidence by the results of the test carried out. The aim of this research work is to determine the effect of yam peel ash on geotechnic properties of lateritic soil as an alternative stabilizing agent for subgrade in road constructio

Community perception of school-based mass drug administration program for soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases, such as soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosomiasis, are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ogun State, Nigeria. School-based mass drug administration program is the primary control intervention, but the coverage and uptake of this intervention have been inadequate. This study aimed to investigate community perceptions of school-based mass drug administration programs for these infections in Ogun State, Nigeria, and identify the barriers to their uptake and coverage. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The study used a qualitative research approach involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with community members and stakeholders engaged in neglected tropical disease control programs in Ogun State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire guided the exploration of ideas, and the data were analyzed using the QRS Nvivo 12 software package. The study found several barriers, such as the influence of parents, lack of sufficient knowledge, and side effects. The study recommended strategies such as improving community sensitization and engagement, drug distribution and performance, and enhancing partner collaboration and coordination to improve the school-based mass drug administration programs. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The study revealed correct perceptions of transmission but some misconceptions about disease causation, transmission, and drug safety. Participants expressed a desire for better sensitization campaigns and more assurances of their safety. The study recommends strengthening health education messages and increasing the visibility of on-site medical personnel. The findings have implications for improving the performance of these programs and reducing the burden of intestinal parasitic infections in the community. The study highlights the need for community engagement and education, health system support, and partner collaboration to successfully implement mass drug administration programs