Deep and probabilistic learning under uncertainties cum non-spherical disturbances

The study investigates the performances of deep and probabilistic models under uncertainties with non-spherical disturbances inherent in the data. We deemed aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties, the former inherent in the data while the later inherent in the model in  probabilistic approach. Loss, mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) were adopted to evaluate the performance of the  models for training, testing and validating sets. Both multicollinearity and autocorrected error were inherent in the data, there exist  negative autocorrected error of magnitude 1.46 and the multicollinearity with magnitude of “inf” that implies imperfect multicollinearity were inherent in the data. Keras Dense layer and Tensor flow probability (tfp) Dense variational layer were adopted. The underlying model were constructed probabilistically to capture aleatoric, epistemic and both. The study observed that the “no uncertainty, classical and aleatoric models behaved well when data were standardised, the magnitude of loss, MAE and MSE reduced by almost 98%, this implies that the accuracy of the parameter were improved, though epistemic and both aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties models depicted poor performances of the model despite their probabilistic nature, this may be due to combination of uncertainty with non-spherical disturbances. The unstandardised data exhibited poor performances in all the models. The study therefore recommended that data should be standardised prior estimation

Congenital Ewing’s Sarcoma in a neonate in Uyo - a case report

Congenital Ewing's sarcoma is a very rare occurrence indeed with only one case involving the humerus and none involving the ulna that has been noted in the literature to our knowledge. It is one of those tumours that not only do they rarely occur in the neonatal period, but is also very uncommon in black people. We present a case report of Congenital Ewing's Sarcoma in a black female infant involving the ulna bone and surrounding soft tissues which was diagnosed by histology and immnohistochemistry.Key words: Congenital Ewing’s sarcoma, neonatal period, Nigeri

The Role of Contemporary Christian Organizations in the Development of Mass Communication in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study

The main aim of ‘real’ religion is development. This paper is a study of the contributions of contemporary Christian organizations in Nigeria to the development of Mass Communication in the country and in effect, their contributions to overall national development. Religious organizations have always in their various ways strived to contribute to national development. However, until recently, the contribution could not be said to be remarkable or significant in terms of helping to address issues of national needs. They were not able to make impactful contribution to national development due to regulatory constraints and their participation in developmental activities remained relatively dormant. A number of Christian organizations in the last few years have however contributed to recorded development in the Mass communication industry. While highlighting the various modes that the contribution has taken, the paper attempts to situate the various developmental roles of selected Christian organizations to the print and broadcast subsectors of mass communication in the general framework of development in Nigeria. The paper concludes that while the selected Christian organizations engage the print and electronic media in propagating their religious values, they actively contribute to growth in the advertising industry, training and education, employment generation and promotion of reading culture among others. Contributions to these indices of development make for agreement that these organizations have made input and are still contributing to national development through involvement in the media subsector. Keywords: religious organizations, publications, development, contribution

Synthesis, Microbial Growth and Oxidation Inhibitory Properties of Three Mannich Bases

Diseases, infections and unhealthy diet serve as threat to human existence. Bases obtained from Mannich reaction have been found to have pharmacological application as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, antiviral and anti-inflammatory in drugs and as food additives. Biologically active 4-(3-oxo-1,3-diphenyl propylamino) benzoic acid (A1), N-phenyl-3-(phenylamino) propanamide (A2) and 3-(p-tolylamino)-N-phenylpropanamide (A3) were synthesized and their purity confirmed by melting point determination and Thin layer chromatography. Characterization of the Mannich bases by spectroscopic methods: Infrared and Ultraviolet spectroscopy confirmed the presence of C=O, O-H, N-H typical of Mannich bases. They are also readily soluble in organic solvents. Antioxidant activity of A1, A2 and A3 involving the use of 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide was significant when compared with antioxidant standards: ascorbic acid, butylatedhydroxylanisole and α-tocopherol. Compounds A2 and A3 gave percentage inhibition of 90.37 and 90.11 at 0.0625 mg/ml in the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, a better percentage inhibition than ascorbic acid and α–tocopherol at the same concentration. Antimicrobial activity of the three compounds against bacterial and fungal strains; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomona aeruginosa, Klebsiellae pneumoniae, Salmonellae typhi, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium notatum showed moderate microbial inhibition when activity was compared with standard drugs: gentamicin and tioconazole for bacteria and fungi respectively. The ionization constant (pKa) values at 6.01, 8.15 and 7.23 reported for compounds A1, A2 and A3 respectively indicates that they would be readily metabolized at physiological pH. Keywords: Mannich bases; spectroscopy; oxidation; antimicrobial; ionization constan

Histiocytosis in Nigerian children: A report of two variants

Histiocytoses are a rare group of proliferative disorders with very similar clinical and histological pictures. We present a case report of two variants seen in an eight-month-old female and five-month-old male in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. They both presented with painless neck swellings and fever, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Initial histologic examinations of the cervical lymph nodes biopsy posed a diagnostic conundrum. However, Immuno-histochemical analysis done on both sample showed CD1a, positive S100 in keeping with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the former. While, that of the latter showed strongly positive CD68, positive S-100 in 30% cells in keeping with Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SLMH) in the latter. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for histiocytosis in children presenting with generalised lymphadenopathy. Also, apart from the routine histology, immunohistochemistry analysis is recommended for all case

Chemical Composition and Cytotoxicity of the essential oils of Crinum ornatum (Ait

The bulbs of Cri num o rn at um were collected, dried and grounded. The powdered samples were subjected to distillation using a hydro-distiller (all-glass clevenger apparatus) to extract the essential oil present in the plant samples. GC and GC/MS analysis were carried out on the essential oil and was found to contain 18 compounds; hydrocarbons being the dominating group of compounds. They are 2,4-dimethylhexane (1.51%), methyl benzene(5.49%), cis-1,3-dimethyl cyclohexane (2.08%), cisdecahydronaphthalene (5.49%), trans-decahydronaphthalene (2.08%), undecanoic acid, ethylester (1.51%), caryophyllene (1.51%), dodecanoic acid (1.51%), 14-methylpentanedecanoic acid methylester (20.89%), 2,6,10,15-Tetramethylheptanedecane (3.14%), n-hexanedecanoic acid (13.06%), eicosane (2.61%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (13.06%), heneicosane (13.14%), eicosanoic acid, ethylester (5.22%), nonacosane(2.35%), tetratriancontane (2.61%) and tetratetracontane (10.45%) representing 97.71% of the total essential oil. The cytotoxicity result of LC 50 (µg/ml) value of 1.701 obtained through the brine shrimp toxicity assay indicated that the oil is toxic. Ke yw o rd s: Cr i nu m or na t um , es s en t ia l o i ls , cytotoxicity, hydrodistillation, gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy

Preparation, Release Pattern and Antibacterial Activities of Chitosan-Silver Nanocomposite Films

The present study examined the preparation of chitosan-silver   nanocomposite films as carriers for silver release pattern. Chitosan a biopolymer   having immense structural possibilities for chemical and mechanical modifications   to generate novel properties, functions and applications. Chitosan–silver   nanocomposite films has been synthesised by reduction method, which is a simple   and inexpensive method. The chitosan-silver nanocomposite films was   characterized in terms of its surface plasmon resonance and crystalline structure by   using UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and   Scanning electron microscope. Swelling and release studies were carried out on   crosslinked and un-crosslinked nanocomposite films. Antibacterial activities of   chitosan-silver nanocomposite films were investigated on some pathogens:   Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhii   and Klebsiella pneumonia using agar well diffusion method. crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite demonstrated a slower release pattern relative to un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite. The crosslinked and un-crosslinked   nanocomposite became dislodged and completely released at 120 minutes and 90   minutes respectively. The results of the antibacterial activities revealed that the   cross-linked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films has higher antibacterial   properties than un-crosslinked chitosan-silver nanocomposite films. This study   provides nanocomposite films potentially useful for delivery system.</p

EFFECTS OF COOKING CONDITIONS ON THE TEXTURE PROFILE, SENSORY AND PROXIMATE QUALITIES OF PRESSURE COOKED BAMBARA NUTS

This study evaluated the effects of pressure cooking on the textural attributes of Bambara nuts using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).The&nbsp; study optimized cooking condition {Weight of Bambara (250 – 1000g), cooking time (20 -90 min) and post cooking resident time (2-12 min)} for the pressure boiling on the textural and qualities of Bambara. Five out of the eleven optimised solutions (Desirability Index range of 0.919 to 0.936) were compared with samples from conventionally boiled Bambara for proximate and sensory (colour, texture, aroma and Overall acceptance) qualities.&nbsp; Data were analysed using RSM, analysis of variance and PPMC. Models for hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, fracturability and sensory texture with adjusted R2 values of 83.41%, 80.99%, 67.37% ,&nbsp; 93,75%&nbsp; and&nbsp; 88.96%&nbsp; respectively adequately explained the textural and sensory qualities of boiled bambara. The range of values for moisture, fat, ash, crude protein and carbohydrate were 47.88, 2.24, 1.98, 24.30, 20.91 % to 50.58, 2.58, 2.19, 25.49, 21.87% respectively.&nbsp; Boiled Bambara produced at verified optimisation solutions (527.62g, 82.55, 10.43 min and 591.69g, 82.96, 9.52 minutes) were not significantly different (p &gt;0.05) from that produced by conventional&nbsp; method (weight and Cooking time: 500g and 125 min.) in spite of the relatively longer cooking time&nbsp; of the later. &nbsp; &nbsp

Spatial Variability Study of Duty Cycle in GSM 900 and 1800 MHz Bands in Rural and Urban Environments

This paper examines the spatial variability of duty cycle in the GSM 900 and 1800 MHz bands within Kwara State, Nigeria. The results show spatial variance in the duty cycle with average occupancies of 1.67%, 17.76%, 10.55% and 0.39%, 11.00% and 5.11 in the rural, urban and all locations for 900 and 1800 MHz bands. Findings also show that there is very high positive correlation between rural 900/1800 MHz and urban 900/1800 MHz. But very high negative correlations exits between urban 900 and rural 1800, and urban 1800 and rural 1800. There is a weak and negative correlation between rural and urban 900 MHz, rural-urban 1800. These results clearly showthe abundance of unutilised spectrum within the GSM bands. Therefore, regulatory commissions should adopt flexible spectrum reuse strategy to relax the regulatory bottlenecks to maximize the scarce radio resources in the licensed bands, especially for rural network deployment

Liver mitochondrial membrane permeability modulation in insulin-resistant, uninephrectomised male rats by Clerodendrum volubile P. Beauv and Manihot esculenta Crantz

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which occurs in people who are not alcohol drinkers, describes some of the pathogenic conditions that may be in the least characterized by simple steatosis or can be as serious as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Its mechanistic pathogenesis has been said to arise from insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may be compounded by obesity. An experimental model showing, systemic insulin resistance, obesity and accumulated hepatic fatty acids was created in adult male rats using high-fat diet manipulation and surgical removal of the left kidney (uninephrectomy). This study sought to identify the impact of these multiple burdens on the liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening, and the possible in vitro effects of the extracts of Clerodendrum volubile and Manihot esculenta leaves on the membrane permeabilization. Results: The results indicated that the methanolic extract of Clerodendrum volubile leaf inhibited mitochondrial membrane pore opening in the insulin resistance condition or when it is followed by uni-nephrectomy, while the ethanolic extract of Manihot esculenta leaf does the same in the insulin resistance condition both prior to and following uni-nephrectomy. Conclusion: Since the vegetable extracts were able to abrogate mitochondrial pore opening at low concentrations, the structural integrity of the mitochondria can possibly be restored over time if treated by the vegetable extracts. Research efforts should, therefore, be made to harness the drugability of the bioactives of these vegetables for use in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease arising from insulin resistance and renal failure.Fil: Ajayi, Ebenezer Idowu O. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Osun State University; Nigeria. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Molehin, Olorunfemi R.. Ekiti State University; NigeriaFil: Oloyede, Omotade I.. Ekiti State University; NigeriaFil: Kumar, Vinodu. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Amara, Venkateswara R.. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Kaur, Jasmine. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Karpe, Pinakin. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; IndiaFil: Tikoo, Kulbhushan B.. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; Indi