Web-based text editing system for Nigerian major languages

This study developed a web-based text editor to eliminate the incompatibility of computer keyboard with the three major indigenous languages in Nigeria. It also aims to reduce the time taken to produce characters with diacritical marks. The editors produced valid Unicode characters and require pressing less buttons to generating all the symbols of the alphabets for the three major indigenous languages in Nigeria. Client-side technologies were used to develop these applications. Three web pages, designated for Yorùbá, Igbo and Hausa language were generated with HTML. CSS was used to define the look and feel of the HTML elements on each page. Regular Expressions implemented in JavaScript functions were used to convert selected ASCII characters into desired Unicode characters. The editors are available at http://www.gazaliwakil.com.ng. The editors work well on latest version of browsers like (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer). They are very light, consume minimal server resources and can work offline. The system was launched Fifty-one (51) times to extract data comprising the Loading, Scripting, Rendering, Painting, System, and Idle time. The obtained result showed that on the average, it takes about 13.77ms to load the HTML DOM elements, 42.83ms to load the javaScript, 13.10ms and 1.73ms for rendering and painting the page by CSS. Additional time taken are 43.91ms and 3,045.10ms for the system and idle time respectively. A total time of 3,160.43ms (3.16s) is required when any of the editors is launched before the page can accept inputs from the users. It also takes the editors 2.66ms to add diacritical marks on a letter. This would, in effect, not reduce the typing speed of users

Project Implementation Decision Using Software Development Life Cycle Models: A Comparative Approach

Selection of a suitable Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model for project implementation is somewhat confusing as there are a lot of SDLC models with similar strengths and weaknesses. Also, the solutions proffered among the researchers so far have been the  qualitative comparative analysis of SDLC models. Hence, this paper proposes a comparative analysis of SDLC models using quantitative approach in relation to strengths and weaknesses of SDLC models. The study adapted comparative analysis and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models features’ classification using ten characteristics such as project complexity, project size, project duration, project with risk, implementation/initial cost, error discovery, associated cost, risk analysis, maintenance and cost estimation. A quantitative measure that employs online survey using experts in software design and engineering, project management and system analysis was carried out for the evaluation of SDLC models. Purposeful Stratified Random Sampling (SRS) technique was used to gather the data for analysis using XLSTAT after pre-processing, taking into consideration both benefit and cost criteria. The overall performance evaluation showed that Spiral-Model is the best followed by V-Model and lastly Waterfall Model with comparative values of 38.63%, 35.76% and 25.61% respectively. As regards cost estimation, Waterfall Model is the most efficient with value of 41%, then V-Model with 31% and lastly Spiral Model with 28%. V-Model has great error recovery capability with value of 45% which is closely followed by Spiral Model with 37% and lastly Waterfall Model with 18%. The study revealed that, a model with efficient risk assurance does not guarantee efficient cost management. In the future work, more characteristics regarding SDLC models shall be considered

Short Communication: Erythrocyte sedimentation rates and leukogram changes in canine model of osteoarthritis

Summary: Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) have been evaluated in humans with osteoarthritis (OA). However, there has been no record of evaluation of ESR during OA in dogs. Changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and leukogram functions were evaluated following experimental knee osteoarthritis (OA).Ten dogs of both sexes with (mean weight = 12.4 ± 1.8kg) were used. Experimental OA was induced in the right knee, using the groove model and confirmed radiographically using evidence of joint space narrowing and presence of osteophytes. Gait was assessed subjectively and scores (GAS) were assigned. Blood was obtained fortnightly for the determination of ESR, total white blood cell (tWBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, while knee radiographs were obtained fortnightly for twelve weeks. Radiographic scores (RAS), GAS, ESR and leukocyte parameters between the different time points were compared with ANOVA. Correlation between parameters was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation. A “P” value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Both ESR and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio increased from week 0 to week 12 of OA. However, tWBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts did not differ significantly. Both GAS and RAS increased up to week 4 and 6 of OA respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates was significantly (p= 0.033) and positively correlated (r=0.793) with N/L ratio, but negatively and slightly correlated (r= -0.843) with GAS. There was no significant correlation between ESR and RAS. It was concluded that both ESR and N/L ratio might be useful in monitoring progression of OA in dogs.Keywords: Canine, Osteoarthritis, ESR, Neutrophil

Antifungal activity and ultrastructural alterations in Pseudocercospora griseola treated with essential oils Atividade antifúngica e alterações ultraestruturais em Pseudocercospora griseola tratado com óleos essenciais

Pseudocercospora griseola, the etiologic agent of angular leaf spot of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), is an important disease in all bean-producing regions worldwide and may cause extremely high yield losses. The control of this disease is made more difficult by the pathogen's genetic variability and the inefficiency of fungicides. In this study, of 26 essential oils tested at different concentrations, 25 demonstrated efficiency in affecting the germination of strains 63-31 and 63-63 of the pathogen, reaching inhibition levels of between 80% and 100%. Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon martinii inhibited conidia germination at all concentrations; Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum sp., Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recutita, Cordia verbenacea, Origanum vulgare, Cymbopogon nardus, at 0.1 and 0.5%; and Zingiber officinale, Mentha arvensis, Chamaecyparis pisifera, Lavandula officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Pimpinella anisum, Ocimum selloi, Baccharis dracunculifolia, Laurus nobilis, Citrus sinensis, Melaleuca alternifolia and Eucalyptus globulus, at 0.5%. The main constituents identified were cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomum sp.; eugenol in E. caryophyllata; trans-&#946;-farnesene in M. recutita; pulegone in C. verbenacea; thymol in T. vulgaris; geranial and neral in C. citratus, and geraniol in C. martini. Through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was verified that C. citratus, C. martini and E. caryophyllata presented direct fungitoxic action on P. griseola, causing severe damage to the cellular ultrastructure of the conidia, invalidating germination. These results indicated that essential oils are a promising alternative strategy for the control of angular leaf spot in bean, representing less risk to human health and the environment.<br>Pseudocercospora griseola, agente etiológico da mancha angular do feijoeiro comum (Phaseolus vulgaris), é uma doença importante nas regiões produtoras de feijão em todo o mundo e pode causar perdas de produtividade extremamente elevados. O controle dessa doença é dificultado pela variabilidade genética do patógeno e da ineficiência de fungicidas. Neste estudo, de 26 óleos essenciais testados em concentrações diferentes, 25 demonstraram eficiência em inibir a germinação das linhagens 63-31 e 63-63 do agente patogênico, atingindo níveis de inibição entre 80% e 100%. Cymbopogon citratus e Cymbopogon martini inibiram a germinação de conídios em todas as concentrações; Eugenia caryophyllata, Cinnamomum sp., Thymus vulgaris, Matricaria recutita, Cordia verbenacea, Origanum vulgare, Cymbopogon nardus, em 0,1 e 0,5%, e Zingiber officinale, Mentha arvensis, Chamaecyparis pisifera, Lavandula officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Pimpinella anisum, Ocimum selloi, Baccharis dracunculifolia, Laurus nobilis, Citrus sinensis, Melaleuca alternifolia e Eucalyptus globulus, em 0,5%. Os principais constituintes identificados foram cinamaldeído em Cinnamomum sp.; Eugenol em E. caryophyllata; trans-&#946;-farneseno em M. recutita; pulegona em C. verbenacea; timol em T. vulgaris; geranial e neral em C. citratus e geraniol em C. martini. Através de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), verificou-se que C. citratus, C. martini e E. caryophyllata apresentaram ação antifúngica direta sobre P. griseola, causando graves danos na ultraestrutura celular dos conídios, invalidando a germinação. Esses resultados indicaram que os óleos essenciais são uma estratégia alternativa promissora para o controle da mancha angular do feijoeiro, o que representa menos risco para a saúde humana e ao ambiente