Theoretical Analysis of the Kumaraswamy-Inverse Exponential Distribution

The Kumaraswamy distribution being a viable alternative to the beta distribution is being used to propose a three-parameter Kumaraswamy-Inverse Exponential distribution and some of its statistical properties are identified

Subserous uterine fibroid presenting atypically with features of pseudo‑meig’s syndrome

To describe an atypical presentation of subserous uterine fibroid. We report a case of pseudo‑Meig’s syndrome from subserous uterine fibroid in a 31‑year‑old para 0+0 woman who had myomectomy, appendectomy, and bilateral wedge resection of both ovaries. Histopathological examination confirmed uterine leiomyoma, appendicitis, and normal ovaries. Pseudo‑Meig’s syndrome is a condition which describes the association of any ovarian tumour (other than ovarian fibroma) or any other pelvic tumor such as leiomyoma with ascites and pleural effusion. Very few studies have reported the association of this entity with leiomyoma. It becomes highly important to identify this condition as it is a curable condition mimicking malignancy and can avoid unnecessary interventions. Subserous fibroid presenting with pseudo‑Meig’s syndrome is a rarely reported entity, especially in Nigeria, which can mimic malignant condition; hence, it is important to consider it as a differential in patients within the reproductive age presenting with ascites.Keywords: Atypical presentation; pseudo‑Meig’s syndrome; subserous uterine fibroi

Effect of Social Capital Endowment on the Welfare of Farming Households in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of social on welfare of farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria. It focused on household food security status and nutritional status of under-five children as measure of household welfare. A three stage random sampling was employed to collect primary data from 160 farming households in Kwara State. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least square regression (OLS) and probit regression analyses. The regression analysis result shows that educational level, household size, household monthly income, dependency ratio and social capital index were significant in explaining variation in household food security status and in addition, number of friends of household head and status of household members in social groups are also significant in explaining nutrition status of under-five children in the households. The study showed that household’s per capital calories intake increases with increase decision making index and heterogeneity index. Children nutrition status increase as density of membership and heterogeneity indices increase. The study concludes that social capital has a positive effect on household food security and children nutrition status thereby improving household welfare. The study therefore recommended that farmer should be encouraged to join social group so as to increase their social capital endowment. Also, social groups need to be strengthened and supported to improve household social network so as to improve household welfare

On the Performance of RESET and Durbin Watson Tests in Detecting Specification Error

When a model is created which correctly leaves out one or more important variables, one rarely know which test has the highest power for detecting the associated specification error. This research adopts the use of bootstrapping experiment. The models investigated consist of three omitted variables which have a coefficient that varies from 0.1 through 1 and 2. A bootstrap simulation approach was used to generate data for each of the models at different sample sizes (n) 20, 30, 50, and 80 respectively, each with 100 replications(r). For the models considered, the experiment reveals that the Ramsey Regression Equation Specification Error Test (RESET test) is more efficient than that of Durbin-Watson test in detecting the error of omitted variable in specification error

On the Effect of Autocorrelation in Regression Model due to Specification Error

The main cause of autocorrelation is omitted variables from the model. When an important independent variable is omitted from a model, its effect on the dependent variable becomes part of the error term. Hence, if the omitted variable has a positive or negative correlation with the dependent variable, it is likely to cause error terms that are positively or negative correlated. There are number of tests for specification error in detecting the errors of omitted variables from a regression analysis, one rarely knows the best test to use. This research uses bootstrapping experiment and some properties which estimators should possess if they are to be accepted as good and satisfactory estimates of the population parameters, the models investigated in the bootstrapping experiment consist of two autocorrelation models with autocorrelation level ρ = 0.5 and 0.9. A bootstrap simulation approach was used to generate data for each of the models at different sample sizes (n) 20, 30, 50, and 80 respectively each with 100 replications(r). For the models considered, the experiment reveals that the estimated β’s were seriously affected by autocorrelation which may be due to omitted variables as the autocorrelation level varies in the different models (i.e. it produces a bias and inefficient estimator)

Effect of Omitted Variable due to Misspecification Error in Regression Analysis

The practical problem is not why specification errors are made but how to detect them. There are number of tests for specification error in detecting the errors of omitted variables from a regression analysis. Using the observations on the dependent variables generated from Microsoft Excel according to the specification labeled true, a bootstrap simulation approach was used for the data generated for each of the models at different sample sizes 20, 30, 50, and 80 respectively each with 100 replications. Using bootstrapping experiment and some properties which estimators should possess if their estimates are to be accepted as good and satisfactory estimates of the parameters, namely, the bias, variance, mean square error, and root mean square error. The models investigated in the bootstrapping experiment consist of the problem of omitted variables. For the models considered, the experiment reveals that the estimated changes the effect of omitted variable as the coefficient varies in the different models. The effect of omitted variable becomes unstable which produces a bias and inconsisten

Fibre Characterization of Cassava Peel Leaf Meal and Its Utilization by Broilers

One hundred and twenty ( n = 120) day old broiler chicks with an average weight (100.00±7.00g) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, with cassava peel leaf meal (CPLM) as replacement for maize at (starter and finisher phases).The trial was in three phases of adaptation  (1-2week),starter (3-5week) and finisher (6-9week).Thirty broilers chicks were assigned to each of the four treatments, while was replicated three times at 10 chicks each. Performance of the chicks such weight gain, feed intake and carcass yield was evaluated and the proximate and fiber quality of the diets and CPLM were also determined. Data obtained for performance evaluated was analyzed using ANOVA, while significant means were separated by SAS of the same package. The outcome revealed that CPLM had (89.93%) dry matter, (18.93%) crude protein and (43.28%) NDF, with anon-significant (p< 0.05) variation in weight gain, enhanced (p< 0.05) feed intake and depressed (p< 0.05) feed to gain ratio as CPLM inclusion increased. Dressing percentage values (69.00-73.00%) were obtained on the treatments. CPLM inclusion (0, 15, 30 and 45%) as replacement for maize in the diets of broilers produced a favourable performance. Keywords: Cassava peel, cassava leaf, fiber, broiler chick

Providers\u27 and key opinion leaders\u27 attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding emergency contraception in Nigeria: Key findings

This brief reports on a study in Nigeria to document provider attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding emergency contraception (ECP), and to identify key opinion leaders’ opinions and insights pertaining to policy and programmatic issues in that country. Findings reveal that ECP is well known in urban Nigeria. Its provision is controlled mainly by the largely unregulated and unmonitored private sector. Government plays a distant role, thereby leaving family planning and ECP supply almost entirely in the hands of donor agencies. For wider availability and affordability of ECP products in both the private and public sectors, official policy action is required, along with increased education of potential users and providers

A survey of medicinal plants in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of different ailments in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger  State. Structured interview guides and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal plants from one hundred and twenty  respondents. The results obtained revealed a total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 30 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Fabaceae is the most common Family whereby the bark and the leaves are mostly used. The medicinal plants identified had multiples uses while some were effective as mixtures. Seventy percent of the respondents had informal training on herbal  medicine for two years. Twenty percent had formal training through forestry courses offered during advanced studies while ten percent inherited the knowledge from their parents. It was recorded that medicinal plants are cheaper, locally available and easily accessible than western drugs.  Therefore, the conservation of these medicinal plants will be highly imperative if mobilizing individuals and communities to participate actively in afforestation programme; extension workers should convince local herb sellers and herbalists of the value and importance of nature and biodiversity; and research and documentation of medicinal plants are carried out. Keywords: Ailments, decoction, herbalists, medicinal plants, traditional, treatment

Sustainable locally sourced materials for small-scale paint production

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other unsafe chemicals are used in producing chemical paints which releaseharmful gases within the interior spaces where they have been used, whereas, these hazardous elements or components can be removed and replaced with safer and local materials. The aim of this study is to produce a paint product using sustainable locally sourced materials in a small-scale production. Using an experimental approach, a milk-based and clay-based paint were prepared in the laboratory, while physical and chemical tests were carried out such as adhesion test, application test, opacity, drying test, viscosity test and pH test. Clay, Edible starch, Local pigment (Lamp black and local talc), Dry milk and Lime were used as constituent materials in the preparation of the paint products with water as the solvent. Some of the physical and chemical tests carried fell within reasonable PMAN standards for chemical paints. The study recommendsthat more environmental friendly and sustainable materials should be used to replace hazardous materials used in chemical paints for safe environmen