Application of multi-group cfa in analysing moderation effect of socioeconomic attributes on public housing performance

This study analysed moderation effect of socioeconomic attributes of income and education on public housing performance model using the multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) method. The objectives of the study was to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic attributes of income and education on public housing performance using occupants’ experience, with a view to proffer recommendations on objective indicator of public housing performance. Literature revealed how little attention is given to effects of socioeconomic attributes on building performance in post occupancy evaluation (POE). This leads to misuse of resources in facilities management. Sample households of 350 were selected in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria, by systematic random sampling to answer questionnaires as the major instrument of data collection. SPSS Version 22 was used for preliminary analyses and AMOS version 21 was used to validate the constructs and develop Structural Equation Model (SEM) of building performance. Results indicated an acceptable SEM model for use in building performance evaluation, with all factor loadings above 0.5 and required fitness indexes achieved. Moderation effect of occupants’ education and income were proved not significant on their experience responses. The finding portrayed occupants’ experience as objective tool for measuring building performance Implication of this finding is in supporting the notion that experience is objective medium of measuring performance than satisfaction. Hence, scholars and professionals in housing should be cautious of the use of these terminologies interchangeably

Application of fast technology for analysis (FTA) for sampling and recovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for molecular characterization of cowpea breeding lines for Striga resistance

Article purchasedStriga gesnerioides (Willd) Vatke is a significant constraint to cowpea production in the dry savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Yield losses caused by S. gesnerioides in these regions are estimated in millions of tons annually and the prevalence of Striga soil infestation is steadily increasing. Conventional breeding efforts have developed some cowpea lines with Striga resistance as well as other important agronomic traits but it is time-consuming and difficult to pyramid favorable traits. The use of marker-assisted selection (MAS) makes it easier to select plant traits and reduce the time needed to develop new varieties. The potential of Fast Technology for Analysis (FTA) as an effective technology for sampling and retrieval of DNA from plant tissue and their subsequent molecular analysis was assessed in the laboratory. DNA was successfully recovered from the leaf tissues of cowpea pressed into the FTA® Classic card and the DNA obtained from the FTA papers was found to be suitable for molecular analysis by PCR-based techniques. The marker efficiency of Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) marker MahSe2 and C42B was 93% in detecting SG3 resistance. This study demonstrated that the application of MAS using FTA technology has the potential to put the breeding process on a fast track and increase the efficiency of breeding activities

Confirmatory factoral validity of public housing performance evaluation constructs

The aim of this study is to identify the housing features based on their tangible, intangible and component characteristics using occupants’ experience and confirm the factorial validity of the building features with a view to develop a valid and reliable measurement model that can be used effectively in public housing performance evaluation. The study was based on survey of public housing occupants’ experience carried out in Gombe metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria. Two constructs of tangible and intangible building experience were developed as independent variables, with building components experience construct as dependent variable and validated using AMOS software Version 21. The study confirmed the factoral validity of the constructs, hence provided a better understanding of the housing features and components. The validated constructs in this study are useful for public housing performance evaluation, housing market analysis and public housing policies to improve public housing performance and achieve sustainability

Influence of Periodic Administration of Garlic Extract on Blood Parameters of Grazing Lambs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of periodic  administration of garlic extract drench on haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing lambs. Twelve West African dwarf sheep with an average weight of 12.00 ±0.77 kg were allotted to 3 treatment groups with 4 animals per group in a completely randomized design which lasted for 10 weeks. Treatment 1 (T1) served as control with no garlic extract, Treatment (T2) were given 5ml garlic extract weekly and Treatment T3 received 5ml garlic extract every 2 weeks. Results of haematological analysis showed that PCV significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups while RBC, MCV, WBC, LYM and GRA all show no significant (P>0.05) difference. The lowest PCV of 19.68% was observed in T1 while T2 recorded the highest PCV of 29.68%. The results from serum biochemical indices shows that cholesterol and ALT differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups while total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and AST all show no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment means. The lowest serum cholesterol value of 0.78 was observed in T2 while the control group  recorded the highest value of 1.30. The study suggests that garlic extract could be used to reduce the level of serum cholesterol in grazing lamb thereby improving meat quality.Keywords: Garlic Extract, West African Dwarf Sheep, Haematology, Biochemistry

Influence of Periodic Administration of Garlic Extract on Blood Parameters of Grazing Lambs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of periodic administration of garlic extract drench on haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing lambs. Twelve West African dwarf sheep with an average weight of 12.00 \ub10.77 kg were allotted to 3 treatment groups with 4 animals per group in a completely randomized design which lasted for 10 weeks. Treatment 1 (T1) served as control with no garlic extract, Treatment (T2) were given 5ml garlic extract weekly and Treatment T3 received 5ml garlic extract every 2 weeks. Results of haematological analysis showed that PCV significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups while RBC, MCV, WBC, LYM and GRA all show no significant (P>0.05) difference. The lowest PCV of 19.68% was observed in T1 while T2 recorded the highest PCV of 29.68%. The results from serum biochemical indices shows that cholesterol and ALT differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups while total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and AST all show no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment means. The lowest serum cholesterol value of 0.78 was observed in T2 while the control group recorded the highest value of 1.30. The study suggests that garlic extract could be used to reduce the level of serum cholesterol in grazing lamb thereby improving meat quality

Distribution and diversity of alternate hosts of Maruca vitrata Fabricius in three West African countries

The evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins by insect pests is a major threat to Bt technology. However, the rate of resistance can be slowed with appropriate integrated insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. Surveys were conducted to identify alternate host species for Maruca vitrata (commonly called the legume pod borer or Maruca) that could serve as refuges for Pod-Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea in three West African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso). Survey sites included 25 in northern Ghana, 44 in northern Nigeria, and 52 in north-central and southwestern Burkina Faso. Alternate hosts of Maruca identified from plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family that showed signs of Maruca damage on cowpea tissues were collected and dissected. Larvae that were found during these dissections were reared to adult moths in the laboratory then identified to species. The alternate host plants including species of Crotolaria, Sesbania, Tephrosia, and Vigna were the most frequently encountered among sites and locations. Flowering and podding of these plants overlapped with flowering and podding of the nearby (~200 m) cowpea crop. Abundance of these wild hosts and overlapping flowering patterns with the cowpea crop in most locations have the potential to sustain ample numbers of Bt susceptible Maruca that will mate with possible resistant Maruca and deter resistance development. Further quantitative studies, however, are required from each location to determine if actual Maruca production from alternate hosts is sufficient for a PBR IRM strategy. If verified, this approach would be compatible with the high dose/refuge IRM strategy that includes alternate hosts and non-Bt crops as refuges

Efficacy of a cry1Ab Gene for Control of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Cowpea (Fabales: Fabaceae)

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] is an important staple legume in the diet of many households in sub-Saharan Africa. Its production, however, is negatively impacted by many insect pests including bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata F., which can cause 20–80% yield loss. Several genetically engineered cowpea events that contain a cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for resistance against M. vitrata were evaluated in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Ghana (West Africa), where cowpea is commonly grown. As part of the regulatory safety package, these efficacy data were developed and evaluated by in-country scientists. The Bt-cowpea lines were planted in confined field trials under Insect-proof netting and artificially infested with up to 500 M. vitrata larvae per plant during bud formation and flowering periods. Bt-cowpea lines provided nearly complete pod and seed protection and in most cases resulted in significantly increased seed yield over non-Bt control lines. An integrated pest management strategy that includes use of Bt-cowpea augmented with minimal insecticide treatment for protection against other insects is recommended to control pod borer to enhance cowpea production. The insect resistance management plan is based on the high-dose refuge strategy where non-Btcowpea and natural refuges are expected to provide M. vitrata susceptible to Cry1Ab protein. In addition, there will be a limited release of this product until a two-toxin cowpea pyramid is released. Other than South African genetically engineered crops, Bt-cowpea is the first genetically engineered food crop developed by the public sector and approved for release in sub-Saharan Africa

Inheritance of purple pigmentation on vegetative parts in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Two cowpea varieties Kanannado and IAR-1696 both of which are purple pigmented on the nodal region of their main stem, base of tertiary branches, base of the stalk of the trifoliate and base of peduncle were crossed to two other varieties, IT93K-693-2 and IT87D-941-1. These two varieties are completely devoid of any pigmentation on the plant parts mentioned above. The F1, F2 and backcross populations together with the parentals were planted in the screenhouse and evaluated for pigmentation. Results showed that all the plants fell into two categories, pigmented and non-pigmented and that a pigmented plant is always pigmented all through, the nodal, bases of tertiary branches, stalk of trifoliate and peduncle. The segregation pattern in both F2 crosses fitted 13:3 ratio, P≥0.3 and P≥0.5 for the cross IT87D-941-1×Kanannado and IT93K-693-2×IAR-1696, respectively. Segregation in the backcross populations fitted 1:1 ratio in both crosses. A third cross, involving non-pigmented parents, IT93K-693-2 and IAR-48 did not show any segregation for these characters. This suggests that two genes with dominant and recessive epistasis condition pigmentation on these regions of the cowpea plant