Aligning Multiple Sequences with Genetic Algorithm

The alignment of biological sequences is a crucial tool in molecular biology and genome analysis. It helps to build a phylogenetic tree of related DNA sequences and also to predict the function and structure of unknown protein sequences by aligning with other sequences whose function and structure is already known. However, finding an optimal multiple sequence alignment takes time and space exponential with the length or number of sequences increases. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are strategies of random searching that optimize an objective function which is a measure of alignment quality (distance) and has the ability for exploratory search through the solution space and exploitation of current results

Utilization of Selected Browses Species by Primates in Four Locations of Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examines the extent and intensity of lopping as well as their relation to free size in Becheve Nature Research (BNR), Golf Course Range (GCR), Beau Range (BR), and Ikwette Range (IR) all located at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Cross River State, Nigeria. Four species, Afzelia africana, Daniellia oliveri, Pterocarpus erinaceous and Ficus thoningii. were chosen for the study. The vegetation study and results indicate varying degrees of utilization between the locations of the tree species. The crown condition had difference between the locations of the tree species. The frequency of crown condition is higher in BNR and Ikwette Range. The BNR had the highest frequency of woody plant that provide primate food with value 0.52 while Golf Course range, Beau range, Ikwette range has 0.32, 0.30, and 0.27 use value respectively. The human use value is more in Golf Course Range with 0.324 and very minimal in BNR with 0.29. The mean crude fiber (CF) content of the four plants (11.52%) is low. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of food strongly influences primates’ patterns of movement. Keywords: Utilization, browse species, human use, Obudu Cattle Ranc

Critical Analysis of Decision Making Experience with a Machine Learning Approach in Playing Ayo Game

The major goal in defining and examining game scenarios is to find good strategies as solutions to the game. A plausible solution is a recommendation to the players on how to play the game, which is represented as strategies guided by the various choices available to the players. These choices invariably compel the players (decision makers) to execute an action following some conscious tactics. In this paper, we proposed a refinement-based heuristic as a machine learning technique for human-like decision making in playing Ayo game. The result showed that our machine learning technique is more adaptable and more responsive in making decision than human intelligence. The technique has the advantage that a search is astutely conducted in a shallow horizon game tree. Our simulation was tested against Awale shareware and an appealing result was obtained

Health Forecast in Contemporary Society- A Case Study of Dorben Polytechnic Students, FCT Abuja

A good indicator of how much fat you carry is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Although it is not a perfect measure, it gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your body is composed of fat. BMI is a measure which takes into account a person’s weight and height to gauge total body fat in adults.  Thus, this study explored the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and Blood Pressure with waist circumference and serum fasting lipid levels of apparently healthy students attending Dorben Polytechnic, so as to make predictions on health. Samples were obtained from the representative students of the institution after oral consent. On the basis of BMI, all participants were divided into three groups via, underweight (BMI was less than 18.50 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI was between 18.50- 24.90 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI between 25.00 - 29.90 kg/m2). The mean of serum lipid levels, waist circumference as well as blood pressure were within the normal range in all the three BMI categories. The BMI in underweight and overweight categories correlated well with risk factor of cardiovascular disease as compared to BMI in the normal category. The mean BMI of 18.39Kg/M2 and 27.15Kg/M2 recorded in the underweight and overweight category respectively have lipid profiles that are predictive of future metabolic disorder, if left unabated in geometric fashion, and  in the long run. Health problems can be extrapolated following the trend, and by extension health forecast. Key words: health forecast, Anthropometric parameters, Lipid profil

Health Forecast in Contemporary Society- A Case Study of Dorben Polytechnic Students, FCT Abuja

A good indicator of how much fat you carry is the Body Mass Index (BMI). Although it is not a perfect measure, it gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your body is composed of fat. BMI is a measure which takes into account a person’s weight and height to gauge total body fat in adults.  Thus, this study explored the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and Blood Pressure with waist circumference and serum fasting lipid levels of apparently healthy students attending Dorben Polytechnic, so as to make predictions on health. Samples were obtained from the representative students of the institution after oral consent. On the basis of BMI, all participants were divided into three groups via, underweight (BMI was less than 18.50 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI was between 18.50- 24.90 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI between 25.00 - 29.90 kg/m2). The mean of serum lipid levels, waist circumference as well as blood pressure were within the normal range in all the three BMI categories. The BMI in underweight and overweight categories correlated well with risk factor of cardiovascular disease as compared to BMI in the normal category. The mean BMI of 18.39Kg/M2 and 27.15Kg/M2 recorded in the underweight and overweight category respectively have lipid profiles that are predictive of future metabolic disorder, if left unabated in geometric fashion, and  in the long run. Health problems can be extrapolated following the trend, and by extension health forecast. Key words: health forecast, Anthropometric parameters, Lipid profil

Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage with Coal Fly Ash: Exploring the Solution Chemistry and Product Water Quality

A treatment process for Acid mine drainage (AMD) using coal fly ash (CFA) was developed. AMD was treated with CFA as the alkaline agent at different CFA: AMD ratios and pH, electrical conductivity (EC) evolution monitored over time. In a separate experiment two AMD sources with differing chemistry were treated with the same CFA to evaluate the impact of AMD chemistry on the treatment process and product water quality. Various CFA: AMD ratios were stirred in a beaker for a pre-set time and the process water chemistry determined. pH was observed to increase in a stepwise manner with buffer zones observed at 4-4.5, 4.5-7 and 6-8. AMD with low concentration of Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+ and Mn2+ didn’t exhibit these buffer zones. Two competing processes were observed to control the evolving pH of process water: dissolution of basic oxides (CaO, MgO) from CFA led to pH increase and hydrolysis of AMD species such as Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+ and Mn2+ led to pH decrease. These processes initiated mechanisms such as precipitation, adsorption and ion exchange that led to decrease in inorganic contaminants as the treatment progressed. Inorganic contaminants removal was directly related to amount of CFA in reaction media. Precipitation of insoluble hydroxides and Al, Fe-oxyhydroxysulphates contributed to removal of major and minor chemical species. Precipitation of gypsum contributed to removal of sulphate. Na, K and Mg remained largely in solution after initial decrease. Significant leaching of B, Sr, Ba, and Mo from CFA was observed and was directly linked to amount of CFA in the reaction media. This will be a shortcoming of the treatment process since other processes may be required to polish up the product water. The treatment of AMD with CFA was observed to depend on CFA, AMD chemistry, treatment time and might therefore be site specific

Shifts in age pattern, timing of childbearing and trend in fertility level across six regions of Nigeria: Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys from 2003-2018.

Nigeria's population is projected to increase from 200 million in 2019 to 450 million in 2050 if the fertility level remains at the current level. Thus, we examined the shifts in the age pattern of fertility, timing of childbearing and trend in fertility levels from 2003 and 2018 across six regions of Nigeria. This study utilised the 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey datasets. Each survey was a cross-sectional population-based design, and a two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select women aged 15-49 years. The changes in the timing of childbearing were examined by calculating the corresponding mean ages at the birth of different birth orders for each birth order separately to adjust the Quantum effect for births. The Gompertz Relational Model was used to examine the age pattern of fertility and refined fertility level. In Nigeria, it was observed that there was a minimal decline in mean children ever born (CEB) between 2003 and 2018 across all maternal age groups except aged 20-24 years. The pattern of mean CEB by the age of mothers was the same across the Nigeria regions except in North West. Nigeria's mean number of CEB to women aged 40-49 in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 surveys was 6.7, 6.6, 6.3 and 6.1, respectively. The mean age (years) at first birth marginally increased from 21.3 in 2003 to 22.5 in 2018. In 2003, the mean age at first birth was highest in South East (24.3) and lowest in North East (19.4); while South West had the highest (24.4) and both North East and North West had the lowest (20.2) in 2018. Similar age patterns of fertility existed between 2003 and 2018 across the regions. Nigeria's estimated total fertility level for 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 was 6.1, 6.1, 5.9 and 5.7, respectively. The findings showed a reducing but slow fertility declines in Nigeria. The decline varied substantially across the regions. For a downward change in the level of fertility, policies that will constrict the spread of fertility distribution across the region in Nigeria must urgently be put in place. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2023 Olowolafe et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Gender variation in self-reported likelihood of HIV infection in comparison with HIV test results in rural and urban Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Behaviour change which is highly influenced by risk perception is a major challenge that HIV prevention efforts need to confront. In this study, we examined the validity of self-reported likelihood of HIV infection among rural and urban reproductive age group Nigerians.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of Nigerians. We investigated the concordance between self-reported likelihood of HIV and actual results of HIV test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether selected respondents' characteristics affect the validity of self-reports.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The HIV prevalence in the urban population was 3.8% (3.1% among males and 4.6% among females) and 3.5% in the rural areas (3.4% among males and 3.7% among females). Almost all the respondents who claimed they have high chances of being infected with HIV actually tested negative (91.6% in urban and 97.9% in rural areas). In contrast, only 8.5% in urban areas and 2.1% in rural areas, of those who claimed high chances of been HIV infected were actually HIV positive. About 2.9% and 4.3% from urban and rural areas respectively tested positive although they claimed very low chances of HIV infection. Age, gender, education and residence are factors associated with validity of respondents' self-perceived risk of HIV infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Self-perceived HIV risk is poorly sensitive and moderately specific in the prediction of HIV status. There are differences in the validity of self-perceived risk of HIV across rural and urban populations.</p

PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SPICED, SMOKED CATFISH Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

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