Flower pollination algorithm feature selection for chronic kidney disease classification

Paper presented at the 5th Strathmore International Mathematics Conference (SIMC 2019), 12 - 16 August 2019, Strathmore University, Nairobi, KenyaChronic kidney disease is a general term for heterogeneous disorders affecting kidney structure and function. It is recognized now that even mild abnormalities in measures of kidney structure and function are associated with increased risk for developing complications in other organ systems which lead to mortality, all of which occur more frequently than kidney failure. Data mining has been a current trend for attaining diagnostic results. Huge amount of unmined data is collected by the healthcare industry in order to discover hidden information for effective diagnosis and decision making. Data mining is the process of extracting hidden information from massive dataset, categorizing valid and unique patterns in data. In this research we use flower pollination algorithm (FPA) for feature selection method to improve the classification of chronic kidney disease. The experimental result shows that there is a significance improvement in performance of classifiers when FPA feature selection algorithm is applied.Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, Nigeria

Prediction of Linear Viscoelastic Rheological Properties for Composite Nanosilica/Polyethylene Modified Bitumen Using Response Surface Methodology

This study evaluates the suitability of response surface methodology (RSM) to describe the linear viscoelastic (LVE) rheological properties of composite nanosilica/polyethylene modified binder. Two independent and three response variables were investigated, the independent variables were temperature and nanosilica content whilethe response variables are phase angle and complex modulus. Each of the independent variables was varied over three levels. The temperature was varied in the range of 35 to 55 OC and nanosilica was varied from 2 to 6%. RSM was used for the evaluation based on Central Composite Design (CCD) design. From the results, a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9999 and 0.9953 were obtained for complex modulus and phase angle. This confirms that the experimental values obtained are in real agreement with the developed quadratic models. Analysis of the individual effects of temperature and nanosilica content reveals that all the responses are influenced by the interaction of both the two independent variables but highly influenced by temperature than nanosilica content

Socioeconomic Determinants of the Use of Social Media among Agricultural Undergraduates in North-West Nigeria

This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of use of social media among agriculture undergraduates in North-west Nigeria. Three States were purposively selected out of 7, and 250 students were randomly selected from the States. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Results of the data analysis revealed that 76.4% of the students had monthly income of ?10,000-?30,000; 55.20% of them spent 10-29 hours per week using the social media. Result of the regression analysis on the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and use of social media shows that age, marital status and monthly income were statistically significant at 10% (p< 0.1); years of formal education and access to internet were both significant at 5% (p< 0.5). Among the social media applications tools used by the respondents, Facebook had the highest users (=3.18), it was then closely followed by WhatsApp (=3.02). Ownership of computer, smartphones and internet access were determinants to use of social media. Monthly income was the major constraint. Social media has fasten the pace at which students communicate, socialize, and, learn. The Nigerian communication commission should enforce a downward review of data bundles that can reduce the cost, also network coverage should be improved by service providers

Socioeconomic Determinants of the Use of Social Media among Agricultural Undergraduates in North-West Nigeria

This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of use of social media among agriculture undergraduates in North-west Nigeria. Three States were purposively selected out of 7, and 250 students were randomly selected from the States. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Results of the data analysis revealed that 76.4% of the students had monthly income of ?10,000-?30,000; 55.20% of them spent 10-29 hours per week using the social media. Result of the regression analysis on the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and use of social media shows that age, marital status and monthly income were statistically significant at 10% (p< 0.1); years of formal education and access to internet were both significant at 5% (p< 0.5). Among the social media applications tools used by the respondents, Facebook had the highest users (=3.18), it was then closely followed by WhatsApp (=3.02). Ownership of computer, smartphones and internet access were determinants to use of social media. Monthly income was the major constraint. Social media has fasten the pace at which students communicate, socialize, and, learn. The Nigerian communication commission should enforce a downward review of data bundles that can reduce the cost, also network coverage should be improved by service providers

Socioeconomic Determinants of the Use of Social Media among Agricultural Undergraduates in North-West Nigeria

This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of use of social media among agriculture undergraduates in North-west Nigeria. Three States were purposively selected out of 7, and 250 students were randomly selected from the States. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Results of the data analysis revealed that 76.4% of the students had monthly income of ?10,000-?30,000; 55.20% of them spent 10-29 hours per week using the social media. Result of the regression analysis on the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and use of social media shows that age, marital status and monthly income were statistically significant at 10% (p< 0.1); years of formal education and access to internet were both significant at 5% (p< 0.5). Among the social media applications tools used by the respondents, Facebook had the highest users (=3.18), it was then closely followed by WhatsApp (=3.02). Ownership of computer, smartphones and internet access were determinants to use of social media. Monthly income was the major constraint. Social media has fasten the pace at which students communicate, socialize, and, learn. The Nigerian communication commission should enforce a downward review of data bundles that can reduce the cost, also network coverage should be improved by service providers

Rural Households’ Attitude to Diversification into Non-farm Enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria

The study investigated the rural households’ attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 256 farmers for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed using percentage and regression analysis. The most positive attitude was “that non-farm enterprise is a crucial pathway to food security for rural households”.  It was closely followed by “non-farm enterprise is a source of agricultural household savings used for food purchase in hard times” and “non-farm enterprise provides a means to cope or survive when farming fails”. Farmers expressed positive attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises and do not depend on agriculture as a sole means of livelihood but diversified income sources; the diversified farmers had higher income level. Government should support the existing non-farm enterprises and encourage creation of new ones; also improve formal credit access. Furthermore, technical support and skills acquisition training programs should be provided to enhance the performance and efficiency of non-farm enterprises in rural areas

Rural Households’ Attitude to Diversification into Non-farm Enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria

The study investigated the rural households’ attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 256 farmers for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed using percentage and regression analysis. The most positive attitude was “that non-farm enterprise is a crucial pathway to food security for rural households”.  It was closely followed by “non-farm enterprise is a source of agricultural household savings used for food purchase in hard times” and “non-farm enterprise provides a means to cope or survive when farming fails”. Farmers expressed positive attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises and do not depend on agriculture as a sole means of livelihood but diversified income sources; the diversified farmers had higher income level. Government should support the existing non-farm enterprises and encourage creation of new ones; also improve formal credit access. Furthermore, technical support and skills acquisition training programs should be provided to enhance the performance and efficiency of non-farm enterprises in rural areas

Rural Households’ Attitude to Diversification into Non-farm Enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria

The study investigated the rural households’ attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 256 farmers for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed using percentage and regression analysis. The most positive attitude was “that non-farm enterprise is a crucial pathway to food security for rural households”.  It was closely followed by “non-farm enterprise is a source of agricultural household savings used for food purchase in hard times” and “non-farm enterprise provides a means to cope or survive when farming fails”. Farmers expressed positive attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises and do not depend on agriculture as a sole means of livelihood but diversified income sources; the diversified farmers had higher income level. Government should support the existing non-farm enterprises and encourage creation of new ones; also improve formal credit access. Furthermore, technical support and skills acquisition training programs should be provided to enhance the performance and efficiency of non-farm enterprises in rural areas