Measuring the Economic Benefits of Forests in Relation to Households’ Welfare and Forest Dependence in South-western Nigeria

The study assesses the contributions of forest resources income on poverty among rural households in South-western Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling approach was adopted while descriptive analysis and [Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT 1984) poverty index] were used. Poverty index results showed that 68 percent of the rural households were living below the poverty line in the region. Disaggregated to state level, the highest proportion was found in Osun state (77 percent ), followed by Ogun state (70 percent ) and Oyo state with about 50 percent. The minimum cost required to bring those poor households to the poverty line (that is, to eliminate poverty) across states include: N4, 553, N9, 664 and N8918 in Oyo, Osun and Ogun states respectively. This indicates that poverty is more severe in Osun state followed by Oyo state but less severe in Ogun state. Also, forest income has tendency to stem the tide of poverty in the region. Therefore, Government and authority concerned should increase opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in forestry while avoiding deforestation and forest degradation

Microbial flora of the gastro-intestinal tract of Clarias gariepinus caught from river Dandaru Ibadan, Nigeria

The study reports the microbial load and diversity in the gastro-intestinal tract of Clarias gariepinus caught in River Dandaru, Ibadan. A set of adult samples of Clarias gariepinus was caught from the river Dandaru, Ibadan. Determination of microbial loads and characterization of microorganisms present in the gut region of the captured Clarias gariepinus were carried out using standard microbiological procedures. The fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium atrovenetum and Penicillium expansum while the bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus alvei, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Bacillus megaterium, Flavobacterium rigense and Enterobacter aerogenes. The microbial counts were; total plate count 6.5 x 105 CFUs/g, total coliform count 1.9 x104 CFUs/g, total anaerobic count 4.2 x 102 CFUs/g, total faecal coliform count was 2.2 x 103 CFU/ml, total fungi count 3.0 x 103 spore/g.Keywords: Microbial Load,Catfish gut, Microbial diversity, River Dandar

Proximate, Mineral and Functional Properties of Maize Starch Complemented with Defatted Sesame Seed Flour

Background: Maize is known to be one of the major cereals used as indigenous breakfast meal and for infant weaning. It is high in carbohydrate with limited protein content and deficient in lysine. There is a need to complement its nutritional attributes with the inclusion of sesame seed flour known to be rich source of protein, fat and some essential minerals to maximize adequate nutrition and minimize mal nutrition that could result from the deficiency of these essential nutrients. Objectives: The physicochemical properties of maize starch complemented with defatted sesame seed flour were investigated.  Methods: Maize grains and sesame seed were processed into starch and flour respectively. The ratio of maize starch to sesame seed flour was 90:10, 85:15, with 100% maize starch as control and 100% maize flour as control. The samples were evaluated for proximate, mineral and functional properties using standard analytical procedure. Results: The proximate composition varies significantly (P≤0.05).The moisture content was in the range of (9.25 to 12.0%), protein (10.58 to 21.70%), crude fiber (0.50 to 3.0%), fat content(1.75 to 10.0%), ash content (1.35 to 3.45%) and carbohydrate (50.55 to 72.67%).The mineral composition shows no significant difference (P≤0.05). Copper was in the range of (0.29 to 0.33 mg/100g), potassium (2.08 to 2.13 mg/100g), sodium (3.67 to 3.72 mg/100g), magnesium (0.77 to 0.84 mg/100g) and manganese (1.47 to 1.54 mg/100g). Most of functional properties investigated show no significant difference (P≤0.05). Bulk density was in the range of (0.62 to 0.64g/ml), swelling power (4.75 to 8.56 g/ml), water absorption capacity (1.8 to 3.0 g/g), oil absorption capacity (1.35 to 1.70 g/g) and gelation capacity (8.20 to 11.90%). Conclusion: The inclusion of defatted sesame seed flour to maize starch during processing can significantly improve proximate, mineral and the functionality of the blends.    Keywords: Maize starch, physicochemical properties, sesame seed flour&nbsp

Determinants of Food Security among Forest-Based Households in Oyo State, Nigeria

The growth of food insecurity kept increasing despite numerous policies and programmes geared towards improving the living standards of rural households in Nigeria. This study assessed the determinants of food security among forest-based households in Oyo state, Nigeria by obtaining data from 240 respondents with the aid of well-structured questionnaires and interview guide. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The result of the descriptive statistics showed that the mean age of the respondents was \ub142, about 65% of the respondents were female while 60% were married and about 43% had primary education. Also, the results revealed that most respondents (67%) produced food by themselves, 65% of them took two square meals per day and 70% skip meals as a coping strategy due to insufficient food. Furthermore, logistic regression model reveals that sex, household size, household\u2019s head income and land ownership have significant effects on rural household food security in the study area. The study thus recommends that food stabilization and creation of job opportunities such as crafting and agro- allied activities should be given a desired attention in the rural area

Introduction of Improved Okra (NHAe47-4) Variety as a Means of Economic Enhancement of Farmers in Ido Village, Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to introduce improved okra (NHAe47-4) variety to farmers in Ido Village in Ido Local Government of Oyo State using SAFE approach to agricultural extension which includes; capacity building among farmers to enable them diagnoses their problems, identify solutions and develop plans and implement them with or without support from outside. Farmers in the studied area were selected and a group was formed comprising of twelve (12) members. Sensitization and awareness creation were conducted in the study area through series of activities such as facilitating, interactive group discussions and several meetings with the farmers were held to orientate them of the improved okra variety through teaching and management techniques. Descriptive statistical tool such as frequency distribution and percentages was used to analyze the objectives. At the end of the harvesting and whole exercise, the group (farmers) was interviewed verbally to know their levels of awareness for adoption and their general view about the improved variety in relation to the normal okra variety they were used to. The farmers embraced the technology and they were actively participated through demonstration method exercise. Having known all the techniques involved in the production cycle, the farmers also tried the technology on their individual plot which served as an encouragement factor for adoption. The study thus resulted into improving the standard of living and economic enhancement of the farmers in the study area

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Distribution of retired civil servants: a case study of forest – based enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo State.

This study aimed at examining occupational distribution of retired civil servants with particular reference to forestbased enterprises in Ibadan, Oyo State. Primary data was collected from 100 retired civil servants using structured questionnaires. The proportion of retired self employed workers in various sectors of the economy was calculated using descriptive statistic such as frequency and percentages. Factors responsible for the involvement of the retired self employed workers in forest – related enterprises were determined. The sub – sectoral preference of the forest – based enterprises were also considered. Average return (income) to forest – based enterprises and non – forest – based enterprises were calculated and analyzed. About 57 percent of the sampled retired workers got themselves engaged in forest – based enterprises, while others were either engaged in non-forest enterprises or unemployed. From the finding, it was discovered that the mean income that accrued solely to forest – based enterprises was approximately ₦33, 835, which was far below that of non – forest based enterprises which approximated to ₦152, 889. But when the farm income accrued to those in forest – based enterprises was added, the average annual income rose to ₦74, 150.88, thereby reducing the wide gap but not appreciably enough to completely erase the difference between it and that of non – forest based enterprises. Comparing the F – ratio tabulated and that of calculated, it showed that there was significant difference between the mean incomes earned by the two sectors. It was also found that it was not only the huge benefit or returns to those self – employed in non – forest based sectors that formed the incentive for patronage but also, the daily and constant turn – over that was relatively available for meeting the daily needs of the household, unlike in forest – based enterprises where the income was relatively lower and thinner by the day.Keywords: Forest – based enterprises, Non – forest – based enterprises, Self employment, unemployment, Retirement

Severe Acne Skin Disease: A Fuzzy-Based Method for Diagnosis

Dermis ailments are disorders that hurt or damage the dermis that has an enormous impact on the everyday life of a person. People’s tight schedule has significantly impacted their accessibility for repetitive examinations, thereby preventing individuals from consulting a medical practitioner. Network-centered medicinal schemes’ popularity is increasingly becoming a model for helping individuals recognize how crucial the level of an ailment is. Acne dermis ail�ment is one of the extremely well-known dermis sicknesses that troubles the sebaceous glands, thus repetitive diagnosis could assist to avoid blisters. Fuzzy based approach for diagnosing acne skin disease was proposed in this paper. It was suggested that the approach assisted solving the shortcomings of previous expert system methods. Expert machine reasoning is related to literary ambi�guity. The proposed system of used fuzzy rules to address inaccuracy in the expert system’s analysis. It was proven that the scheme was 82% accurate, indicating good performance. The Fuzzy expert system built had shown an extreme level of guidance, medical care recommendations and demonstrated the degree of seriousness of acne dermis state in patients