Decision Support System Using Decision Tree and Neural Networks

Decision making in a complex and dynamically changing environment of the present day demands a new techniques of computational intelligence for building equally an adaptive, hybrid intelligent decision support system. In this paper, a Decision Tree-Neuro Based model was developed to handle loan granting decision support system and clinical decision support system(Eye Disease Diagnosis) which are two important decision problems that requires delicate care. The system uses an integration of Decision Tree and Artificial Neural Networks with a hybrid of Decision Tree algorithm and Multilayer Feed-forward Neural Network with backpropagation learning algorithm to build up the proposed model. Different representative cases of loan applications and eye disease diagnosis were considered based on the guidelines of different banks in Nigeria and according to patient complaint, symptoms and physical eye examinations to validate the model. Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OO-AD) methodology was used in the development of the system, and an object-oriented programming language was used with a MATLAB engine to implement the models and classes designed in the system. The system developed, gives 88% success rate and eliminate the opacity of an ordinary neural networks system. Keywords: Decision Tree-Neuro Based Model, Backpropagation Learning Algorithm, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, MATLAB Embedded Engine, Loan Granting, Eye Diseases Diagnosis

Antifungal Activities of Some Leaf Extracts on Seed-borne Fungi of African Yam Bean Seeds, Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence

The efficacy of leaf extracts of basil ( Ocimum basilicum ), bitter leaf ( Vernonia amygdalina ), lemon grass ( Cymbopogen citratus ), neem ( Azadirachta indica ) and paw-paw ( Carica papaya ) on major seed-borne fungi: Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus flavus , Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium moniliforme of African yam bean ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa ) seeds, and on seed germination and seedling emergence were studied in vitro and in vivo. All the plants leaf extracts (crude and aqueous) significantly (P 64 0.05) reduced the incidence of seed-borne fungi tested and increased seed germination and seedling emergence except lemon grass leaf extract when compared with the untreated control. Neem extract was the most effective while lemon grass extract was the least. Crude extracts from all the plant leaves tested increased seed germination and seedling emergence of African yam bean seeds and gave significant (P 64 0.05) reduction of mycelial growth of all the fungi tested when compared with their aqueous extracts. Leaf extracts of neem, basil, bitter leaf and paw-paw, which are cheap and environmentally safe, are promising for protecting African yam bean seeds against major seed-borne fungi and in the improvement of the crop. @ JASE

Effects of “Lesser Known” Leafy Vegetables (Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius) on the Oxidative Stress Indices of Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effects of two “lesser known” leafy vegetables- Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius on the oxidative indices of Albino Rats. Study Design: Forty eight rats, mean body weighty 351.83±1.39g were grouped into four to represent a control, and three diet groups. Dried powdered form of the vegetables was mixed with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 and pelleted before feeding to the rats. Feeding lasted for a total of three (3) months. The first analysis was done within two weeks, and thereafter repeated every two weeks throughout the study. Place and Duration of Study: The research work was done at Biochemistry laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and National Root Crop Research Institute, Umuahia. The study lasted for a period of three months and two weeks (104 days). Methodology: Clean uninfected leaves of the samples were selected and sun dried to constant weight before grinding with a milling machine. The resulting powdered form was used to formulate the experimental diet with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 as shown in the text. Enzyme activities were determined according to standard methods as referenced in the text. Malonyladehyde and vitamin C contents were also determined Results: Values of malonyladehyde, Vitamin C and activities of catalase significantly (P≥0.05) increased when the sample vegetables were administered to the rats as compared with the control which received no vegetables. However, the activities of peroxidase decreased also significantly as compared with the control. However, only the increase in the values of indices determined were sustained throughout the period of study. Conclusion: The studied vegetables may possess antioxidant components which may play important role in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stres

Public Expenditure on Social Capital: Implications for Economic Growth in Nigeria.

This Study examined the implications of Public expenditure on social capital for the economic growth of Nigeria (1970-2008). On the application of error correction mechanism and Johansen Co-integration test, the following results were obtained: social capital had insignificant positive impact on Economic growth in Nigeria within the period under review. The result of the Johansen Co-integration test under the assumption of linear determinative trend, its likelihood ratio test indicates (2) Co-integrating equation, at  1%  levels of significance and three (3) co-integrating equations at 5% level of significance. This indicates that there is co-integration among the variables in the model and hence the result can be relied upon in making long-run policy decisions. The study showed that budgetary allocation to the Education Sector which ranged from 0.57 percent to 10.8 percent from 1970-2008 fell below UNESCO recommended 26% provision. The Study also shows that government expenditure on health (both capital and recurrent) has incremental impact on economic growth in Nigeria. This means that any policy shift which allows increase in budgetary allocation to the health sector increases economic growth performance in Nigeria. Consequently the study recommends among other things increased budgetary allocation to the social sector to bring about skilled and healthy human capital that will contribute significantly to the economy and place Nigeria on the right path towards vision 20:20:20. Keywords: Capital expenditure, Recurrent expenditure, Economic Growth, Social capital, Co integration, Causalit

Dietary and physical activity habits of All Saints University College of Medicine Students, St Vincent and the Grenadines

Background: The purpose of this research was to assess the dietary and physical activity habits of All Saints University College of Medicine students to determine if they were meeting the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines government’s dietary guidelines and to ascertain the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the students.Methods: Data were collected from the participants using a survey concerned with demographics, and self-assessment on dietary and physical activity habits. Descriptive statistics was used to report and analyse the data.Results: Study subjects consisted of 76 students. Eighty three percent of them were between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Sixty–one percent were female and 39% were male. The majority of the student respondents (76%) were aware of the importance of eating healthy and being physically active each day, and 50-66% of the respondents engaged in and enjoyed physical activity, achieved the recommended daily amount of vegetable intake, were at a normal body mass index (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and reported satisfaction with their weight. However, majority (80%) of the respondents consumed fast food; about a third of them did not consume fruits nor exercise regularly, reporting lack of time, interest and self-discipline as major reasons.Conclusions: The results indicate that the majority of All Saints University Medical College students had high level of knowledge of overweight and obesity and were involved in some healthy behaviours that helped them achieve normal BMI. However, the poor nutritional and physical activity habits of many of the students could benefit from intervention programs to moderate the tendency for overweight and obesity in the student population

Comparative Analysis of Poverty Status of Community Participation in Rural Development Projects of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The study was designed to comparatively analyze the poverty status of community participation in selected rural development projects of Ini and Abak Local Government Areas (LGA's) of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It was as a result of the observation that systematic research aimed at understanding factors influencing poverty status through community participation in the two L.G.A's seemed to be lacking despite the presence of many development projects in these communities. The selected development projects included-electricity, pipe borne water, school blocks, and road rehabilitation. The multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. Ini and Abak LGA's were purposively selected on the basis of their proximity to the state capital, Uyo. A total of 200 community members were randomly sampled from ten households in five villages, in two wards, within two autonomous communities of the study areas. However, only 161 respondents who completed all the questionnaire items were actually used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics and the Maximum Likelihood Probit Regression Analysis were used in the analyses. Results revealed that more males (78.6%) than females participated in Ini LGA, while in Abak, more females (57.14%) participated in the development projects. In comparison, the maximum probit analysis revealed that communities in Ini L.G.A, participated more in self-help project than Abak Communities. Perhaps, this could be explained by the proximity of Ini to the state capital. The L.G.A was almost neglected in development projects resulting from its location which is about 66km from the state capital. The communities in Ini L.G.A, struggled on their own to provide the needed infrastructure for development purposes. On the other hand, Abak L.G.A is closely located to the state capital, and the communities thereof expected the state government to provide most of the needed infrastructures. There were low level of education in the study areas. Other obstacles to participation included: lack of economic power, high cost of living, inadequate monitoring of projects, and embezzlement of funds. Based on the above findings, the following were recommended: formal and informal education should be emphasized to create awareness of development projects. Governments should improve road networks to enable farmers sell their farm produce to other communities and beyond, profitable time management strategy is equally necessary for those employed in formal occupation in order to participate in the development of their communities. Wealthy individuals and groups in these communities should assist in the rehabilitation of projects in their communities. [New York Science Journal. 2009;2(6):68-75]. (ISSN: 1554-0200)

Effects of the Aqueous Root Extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the Haematological Profile of Rattus norvegicus

The effects of Vernonia amygdalina root extract on the haematological profile of 20 male albino rats (Wistar strain) were investigated for a period of 21 days. The rats were divided into three treatment groups A, B, and C and a control group D. The experimental groups A, B, and C were treated with 50mg.Kg-1, 150mg.Kg-1, and 300mg.Kg-1 body weight respectively while the control (group D) received equal volume of normal saline. The extracts were given to the animals orally for 21 days. Blood was collected through the orbital-plexus of rats to assay the effect of the extract on packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) level. The mean WBC, RBC, PVC and haemoglobin level ranged from 1560 ± 120 to 3200 ± 1200, 150.00 ± 40.00 to 276.00 ± 44.50, 38.00 ± 1.00 to 41.00 ± 3.00, and 16.00 ± 2.00 to 12.50 ± 0.50, respectively. There was no significant different (p>0.05) in the haematological profile of the treated groups when compared with the control. However, there was significant different (p<0.05) within each group from week one to week three except WBC in group D and PVC in all the groups. This suggested that the effect of the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina on the haematological profile of Rattus norvegicus was dependent on duration of consumption. Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Aqueous root extract, Haematological profile, Rattus norvegicu