A Neural-CBR System for Real Property Valuation

In recent times, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for real property valuation has been on the increase. Some expert systems that leveraged on machine intelligence concepts include rule-based reasoning, case-based reasoning and artificial neural networks. These approaches have proved reliable thus far and in certain cases outperformed the use of statistical predictive models such as hedonic regression, logistic regression, and discriminant analysis. However, individual artificial intelligence approaches have their inherent limitations. These limitations hamper the quality of decision support they proffer when used alone for real property valuation. In this paper, we present a Neural-CBR system for real property valuation, which is based on a hybrid architecture that combines Artificial Neural Networks and Case- Based Reasoning techniques. An evaluation of the system was conducted and the experimental results revealed that the system has higher satisfactory level of performance when compared with individual Artificial Neural Network and Case- Based Reasoning systems

Attitude and use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of herbal medicines among pregnant women in Nigeria has not been widely studied.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Opinion of 595 pregnant women in three geopolitical zones in Nigeria on the use of herbal medicines, safety on usage, knowledge of potential effects of herbal remedies on the fetus and potential benefits or harms that may be derived from combining herbal remedies with conventional therapies were obtained using a structured questionnaire between September 2007 and March 2008. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests were used at 95% confidence level to evaluate the data obtained. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More than two-third of respondents [67.5%] had used herbal medicines in crude forms or as pharmaceutical prepackaged dosage forms, with 74.3% preferring self-prepared formulations. Almost 30% who were using herbal medicine at the time of the study believed that the use of herbal medicines during pregnancy is safe. Respondents' reasons for taking herbal medications were varied and included reasons such as herbs having better efficacy than conventional medicines [22.4%], herbs being natural, are safer to use during pregnancy than conventional medicines [21.1%], low efficacy of conventional medicines [19.7%], easier access to herbal medicines [11.2%], traditional and cultural belief in herbal medicines to cure many illnesses [12.5%], and comparatively low cost of herbal medicines [5.9%].</p> <p>Over half the respondents, 56.6% did not support combining herbal medicines with conventional drugs to forestall drug-herb interaction. About 33.4% respondents believed herbal medicines possess no adverse effects while 181 [30.4%] were of the opinion that adverse/side effects of some herbal medicines could be dangerous. Marital status, geopolitical zones, and educational qualification of respondents had statistically significant effects on respondents views on side effects of herbal medicines [p < 0.05)] while only geopolitical zones and educational qualifications seemed to have influence on respondents' opinion on the harmful effects of herbal medicines to the fetus [p < 0.05].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study emphasized the wide spread use of herbal medicines by pregnant women in Nigeria highlighting an urgent need for health care practitioners and other health care givers to be aware of this practice and make efforts in obtaining information about herb use during ante-natal care. This will help forestall possible interaction between herbal and conventional medicines.</p

GIS-Based Road Transport Infrastructure Management System for Adamawa Central, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study focus on the GIS-Based Road Transport infrastructure Management System for Adamawa Central, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study covered Adamawa central which comprises of seven local government areas namely; Yola North (Jimeta), Yola South, Fufore, Gerei, Song, Gombi and Hong. Satellite images, road transport map, road transport documents, bridges pictures, road pictures as well as the bridges and the roundabout coordinate were all used to obtain the final results for the study. The satellite images were Spot image of 2012 and Geogle Earth image of 2013. The satellite images and road map were used in updating the road transport map, the road transport documents as well the road, bridge and roundabout picture were used as an inventory in building the geodatabase for the GIS-Based road transport infrastructure management system and some of the roads, bridge and roundabout coordinates were used for hyperlinking the pictures to the spatial reference.ArcGIS 10.1, Microsoft 2013 and AO scanner was used for the entire thesis work, the thesis critically observed the process involved in GIS-Based road transport infrastructure Management system for the selected road transport Infrastructures for Adamawa central, analysis were performed for proper decision-making on how to manage the  road transport infrastructures. The result reveals that Geographic Information System as a very important system can be used in data collection, entry, development, management and analysis. The research also show that the process of converting the traditional database system to a Geographical Information System (GIS) required in the planning will and commitment. It is recommended that government should establish GIS unit in the federal and state ministry of transports board and also encourage the local government areas to do the same for proper planning and development of road transport infrastructure and management system for easy management and control of its facilities. Keywords: ArcGIS 10.1, GIS, bridges pictures, road pictures, Road Transport Inventory, Road Transport Map, Road Transport Documents, Geodatabase. Sport Image, Google Earth Imag

Development of GIS-Based Road Transport Information Management System for Adamawa Central, Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study was conducted on the Development of Gis-Baesd Road Transport Information Mamagenmet System for Adamawa Central, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study covered Adamawa central which comprises of seven local government areas nanell; Yola North (Jimeta), Yola South, Fufore, Gerei, Song, Gombi and Hong. Satellite images, road transport map, road transport documents, as well as the bridges and the roundabout coordinate were all used to obtain the final results for the study. The satellite images were Spot image of 2012 and Geogle Earth image of 2013. The satellite images and road map were used in updating the road transport map, the road transport documents as well the road, bridge and roundabout picture were used as an inventory in building the geodatabase for the development of the GIS-Based road transport iformation management system and some of the roads, bridge and roundabout coordinates were used for hyperlinking the pictures to the spatial reference.ArcGIS 10.1, Microsoft 2013 and AO scanner was used for the entire thesis work, the thesis critically observed the process involved in Developing a GIS-Based road transport information Management system for the various road transport Infrastructures for Adamawa central, analysis were performed for proper decision-making on how to manage the  road transport infrastructures. The result reveals that Geographic Information System as a very important system can be used in data collection, entry, development, management and analysis. The research also show that the process of converting the traditional database system to a Geographical Information System (GIS) does not require the hi-tech knowledge and equipment common in science fictions and movies, but what is required in the planning will and commitment. It is recommended that government should establish GIS unit in the federal and state ministry of transports board and also encourage the local government areas to do the same for proper planning and development of road transport infrastructure and management for easy management and control of its facilities. Keywords: ArcGIS 10.1, GIS, Road Transport, Road Transport Inventory, Road Transport Map, Road Transport Documents, Geodatabase. Sport Image, Google Earth Imag

HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION IN SOIL AND GROUND WATER FROM A WASTE DUMPSITE IN MAKURDI, NIGERIA USING COLD VAPOUR METHOD

The safety of waste dumpsite situated within the heart of many developing cities of the world continues to be a source of worry within the scientific community. The extent of environmental pollution by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) waste dumpsite in Makurdi, Benue State was investigated by determining the concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in 26 soil samples and 3 groundwater (GW) samples collected around the waste dumpsite. Environmentally available metals were acid extracted from soil and groundwater samples and determined using cold vapor method. Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) levels in soil ranged from (0.25-0.38), (0.01-0.11) and (0.23-0.35), (0.001-0.10)mg/kg for 25cm and 50cm depth respectively. The concentrations in the ground water were: Hg (0.27-0.33). These levels for mercury were far higher in varying degrees than background levels, suggestion serious anthropogenic influence from the landfill. The concentration of Hg in the soil and groundwater sample is higher than permissible limits indicating a common origin for the metals. Pollution and Geoaccumulation indices revealed pollution of soil and groundwater, therefore, an urgent attention to mitigate this menace is required by government and stakeholders.&nbsp