Semantic information retrieval for geoscience resources : results and analysis of an online questionnaire of current web search experiences

An online questionnaire “Semantic web searches for geoscience resources” was completed by 35 staff of British Geological Survey (BGS) between 28th July 2015 and 28th August 2015. The questionnaire was designed to better understand current web search habits, preferences, and the reception of semantic search features in order to inform PhD research into the use of domain ontologies for semantic information retrieval. The key findings were that relevance ranking is important in focussed searches that seeks the answer to a specific question, because 50% of people only look at the first 10 results. Relevance ranking is important but not so critical for broad reaching literature and data gathering searches because 88% of respondents would typically assess more than 10 results in this case. A large majority of respondents usually or sometimes had to perform multiple searches or construct advanced searches in order to include all relevant variations in terminology, and an optional feature in the search engine that expanded the search terms for them would be beneficial and desirable. All respondents reported that their search results were at some point, dominated by irrelevant result entries. Asked how a feature that disambiguates terms in search queries should be implemented, 81% will like to be able to specify intended context/meaning of search terms but only when such terms are ambiguous. The conclusion was that the collected responses, though a small sample, indicated vast support for the implementation of semantic search features to add narrower or equivalent terms to original search intent and to specify the context/meaning of ambiguous search terms, but the respondents preferred to be in control of whether or not those features were implemented on each search

Does the Theory of Uncovered Interest Parity Hold for Nigeria?

This study employs the conventional Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) equation to test the validity of the theory for Nigeria vis-à-vis the United States of America. The study also examine the causality relationship existing between the variables in the UIP model.  The results reveal the invalidity of the UIP theory for Nigerian Naira/ United States dollar exchange rates. We hereby conclude that the existence of abnormal profits from interest arbitrage means that the Uncovered Interest Parity between Nigeria and the U.S.A did not hold in reality at some points in time within the period under review. However, the reasons for the failure of UIP theory for Nigeria might be that the capital mobility between the countries is not perfect, or the risk premium in Nigeria is high as perceived by the potential investors. Country risk, which includes political risk and economic risk remain higher for developing countries including Nigeria, than for the developed countries. JEL Classification:  E4, E42, E43, F3, F31 Key Words: Uncovered Interest Parity, international finance, foreign exchange market, Interest rate Differentia

Non-Oil Export and Exchange Rate Nexus in Nigeria: Another Empirical Verification

This study examined the nexus between Exchange Rate and Non-Oil Export in Nigeria using time series data from 1985 to 2018. Secondary data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and World Bank Development Indicators (WDI). The study adopted Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and it was fitted with Seven variables; namely, Non-oil Export (NOE), Exchange Rate (EXR), Credit to Private Sector (CPS), Trade Openness (OPN), Inflation (INF), Interest Rate (INT) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The results showed that the exchange rate has a positive and significant impact on non-oil export in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommended that the Government should encourage international trade to boost non-oil export and increase foreign exchange earnings. Also, there is a need for the government to improve the financial institutions to make investment funds available. Lastly, there is a need to revisit the export-oriented policy to ensure that the non-oil sector is well catered for

Environmental Impact Assessment of Petrol and Gas Filling Stations on Air Quality in Umuahia, Nigeria

This study investigated pollutants emissions from filling stations and their impact on the air quality. Gas monitors were employed to identify the different pollutants present in the ambient air of the study areas. The results showed that the most prominent pollutants present in the ambient air are the volatile organic compounds followed by methane, then carbon monoxide. Measurements were taken at the controls at distances between 20 to 200m.The pollutants concentration recorded at the study areas showed that the level of pollutants exceeded the FEPA air quality guidelines. There are few exceptions in pollutants like the particulate matter which was found to be at concentrations within the FEPA limits. Regression analysis of the pollutants at the controls showed that only the volatile organic compounds and methane are the only significant pollutants present in the ambient air primarily because of the presence of the filling stations. These two pollutants showed a strong negative correlation with distance from the study area. While the regression curve for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) shows a nearly perfect curve with exponential functions as its regression equations, that of methane is linear. Specifically, both VOCs and methane have a correlation coefficient (R) that is above 0.9 for the study areas. Hence a conclusion was drawn from the findings that the primary pollutant to consider when building filling station are the VOCs and methane and that the minimum safe distance to site a filling station is a distance of 80m away from residential areas.Keywords: Filling Station, Pollutants, Air Quality, VOCs, Methan

Effect of Poultry Manure on Incidence and Severity of Foliar Diseases and Weed of Telfairia occidentalis (Ugu) Intercropped with Cassava and Maize

Fluted pumpkin is dominantly grown in mixtures and sometimes sole in Southeastern Nigeria. However the yield and quality of Telfairia in these mixtures are unknown. The study investigated the effect of different rates of poultry manure and intercropping on foliar disease severity and weed incidence of Telfairia occidentalis. The field was laid out in a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments consist of five levels of organic manure (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10) t/ha which were applied on four intercrop combinations (Telfairia-sole; Telfairia and cassava; Telfairia and maize; Telfairia, cassava and maize). The parameters assessed were leaf spot disease, leaf blight disease and weed incidence. The result showed that the intercrop had a significant effect on disease and weed incidence whereas Telfairia-sole recorded the highest foliar disease with values of 2.73, 2.80, 3.40 for leaf spot; 2.60, 2.93, 3.26 for leaf blight; and 31.47, 69.70, 123.5 for weed incidence at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after emergence (WAE). Poultry manure recorded no significant effect on leaf spot disease and weed incidence at 4 and 8 WAE but recorded a significant effect on leaf spot disease with the highest value of 2.92 at poultry manure rate of 0.0 t/ha at 12 WAE. The interaction recorded no significant effect. Keywords: Disease, Severity, Weed, Incidence, Poultry, Manure, Intercropping

The Bioload and Aflatoxin Content of Herbal Medicines from Selected States in Nigeria

Background: There is increased reliance on traditional herbal medicines by several millions of people worldwide, especially in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. This is due to escalating cost of good quality drugs and consequent proliferation of faked cheaper drugs. However, non standardization of production and handling methods have resulted in herbal medicines with varying quality and safety indices, thus resulting in possible public health concerns. This work investigated the microbial load and aflatoxin levels in herbal medicines from selected states in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A total of 210 samples obtained from various renowned herbal medicine practitioners from some selected states in Nigeria, based on their medicinal uses, were analyzed to determine the microbial load by the plate count method and aflatoxin contamination levels using thin layer chromatography with aflatoxin standards.Results: At least six bacterial genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, EPEC, EHEC, Streptococcus and other coliforms) and 6 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Cladosporium, Geotricum and Candida) were isolated. Aflatoxin B1, B2 and G1 were detected in varying concentrations in the samples analyzed, with an average occurrence of 18.6%. Some of these herbal concoctions were found to contain unacceptably high bioload, according to WHO standards.Conclusion: Microbial contamination and the presence of aflatoxins in herbal medicines appear to be an endemic problem in Nigeria, as observed in this work, probably due to poor observation of basic hygiene during preparations and poor storage conditions. The findings in this work may serve in developing and instituting public health standards for the production and safety of herbal remedies in Nigeria.Key words: herbal medicines, microbial, bioload, aflatoxin, public health

Childhood suppurative otitis media in Abakaliki: Isolated microbes and in vitro antibiotic sensitivity pattern

Background: Suppurative otitis media (SOM) is the most common pediatric problem seen by otolaryngologists in Nigeria. Devising simple and effective ways of treating pediatric patients with suppurating ears, especially in situations without a specialist care, will help prevent chronicity. Our experience with SOM at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki, is reviewed in this study. It may serve as a guide in patient care.Objective: Determine the bacteriology of SOM in children in Abakaliki and ascertain their sensitivity to common antibiotics.Materials and Methods: A 2-year retrospective analysis of ear swabs culture results and case files of children aged 0-18 years with SOM managed in EBSUTH.Results: Sixty-five patients with discharging ears were reviewed. Of these, 73% were ≤5 years, of which 41.5% were infants. About 83% had unilateral ear discharge. Acute suppuration was seen in 67%. Overall swab yield was 87.7%; Pseudomonas was (57.4%), Klebsiella (16.4%), and Proteus species (11.5%). Ciprofloxacin showed 60% sensitivity, Gentamicin (58%), and Ceftazidime (35%). Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime showed sensitivity of 4.3%-9.7%.Conclusions: Treatment protocols of SOM in children should emphasize the use of Ciprofloxacin or Gentamicin, especially in situations with limited access to laboratory services or specialist care

Agricultural financing and agricultural output growth in developing economies : any causal linkage in Nigeria?

Purpose: In many developing countries, the agricultural sector has been seen as a major sector that should drive economic development and industrialization because of its importance in the provision of food for the increasing population, the supply of raw material to the growing industrial sector, generation of foreign exchange earnings, creation of employment opportunities, and provision of market for the product of the industrial sector. This study therefore investigates the causal linkage between agricultural financing and agricultural output growth in Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data were mainly sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletins and World Bank Economic Indicators and the study adopted the Pairwise Granger Causality test. Findings: The result showed that there was no causal linkage between agricultural financing and agricultural output growth within the period under review. Practical Implications: With these findings it is therefore imperative for Nigeria to take more careful look into why agricultural financing has not made significant impact on agricultural output growth. There should exist massive education and enlightenment of farmers to know the different sources of agricultural financing available. When such funds are accessed, it should be properly monitored to ensure efficient utilization in order to increase agricultural output. Originality/Value: The study adds to literature on agricultural financing in Nigeria and it has serious implications for agricultural output growth and other areas of the economy. The findings of this study is novel and it is a pointer to the government to more proactive in ensuring that the agricultural sector is well financed and monitored in order to increase agricultural productivity.peer-reviewe

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Moringa Oleifera in Automobile Workshops from three Selected Local Governments Area, Ibadan, Nigeria

Plants accumulate minerals essential for their growth from the environment alongside with heavy metals from contaminated areas.This study investigated bioaccumulation of heavy metals by Moringa oleifera in automobile workshops in three selected local government areas in Ibadan. This was done with a view to determining the concentration and type of heavy metals accumulated in the tissues of Moringa oleifera grown around automobile workshops. Barks, leaves and seeds of M. oleifera were collected from three automobile workshops in each of the local government area and from a control site. The samples were dried, ground and analyzed for heavy metals content (Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn and Zn) using ICP-MS. The mean level of heavy metals obtained ranged from 0.018 ± 0.001 to 0.356 ± 0.021 in the leaves, 0.012 ± 0.001 to 0.255 ± 0.016 in the seed and 0.048 ± 0.003 to 0.989 ± 0.003 in the bark. The concentration of heavy metals recorded followed the trend of Cu > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > As > in the leaves; Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr = Mn > As in the seeds and Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > As> in the barks. The overall concentration of heavy metals bioaccumulated by this plant follows the trend; bark > leaves > seeds. The increase in the concentrations of heavy metals observed in the barks, leaves and seeds of M. oleifera collected from automobile workshops to that of control site indicated the impact of mechanical activities in introducing trace metals to the environment.The study further suggested that Moringa olifera in polluted sites may accumulate trace metals in any of its parts; hence care should be taken when harvesting the plant for medicinal purpose