JMASM42: An Alternative Algorithm and Programming Implementation for Least Absolute Deviation Estimator of the Linear Regression Models (R)

We propose a least absolute deviation estimation method that produced a least absolute deviation estimator of parameter of the linear regression model. The method is as accurate as existing method

Cost-benefit analysis of replacing maize with rice husk supplemented with grindazyme, nutrsea xyla or roxazyme g enzyme supplementation in the diet of Arbor Acres broilers

The experiment was carried out to investigate the cost-­‐benefit of replacing maize with rice husk supplemented with enzymes in the diet of arbor acres broilers. The experimental design was a 2×4 factorial combination of two dietary level of rice husk (0 or 25%) with four levels of different enzymes 0E (without enzyme 0ppm), 100E (100ppm of Nutrase xyla), 150E (150 ppm of Roxazyme G), or 350E (350ppm of Grindazyme). Rice husk was added at the expense of maize in the control diet and each experimental diet was tested during a 56-­‐day feeding trial in triplicate. One hundred and ninety-­‐two (192) one-­‐day old unsexed Arbor acres chicks were used in the trial. Each of these was undertaken in the presence of no enzyme 0E (0ppm) or with different types of commercial enzymes at recommended level, which are 100E (100ppm of Nutrase xyla), 150E (150ppm of Roxazyme G), and 350E (350ppm of Grindazyme). Cost of each ingredient was used to calculate the total cost; there were reductions in the cost of raising 1Kg of Arbor acre broiler on supplementation of the rice husk diets with commercial enzymes. The 25% replacement of maize with rice husk supplemented with commercial enzymes has no detrimental effect on the performance of the birds; rather the saving cost was associated with improved weight gain. The inclusion of rice husk supplemented with any of the enzymes in the diets reduced the cost of producing broilers and hence increased profit

Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Limestone Exploitation in Igarra, Nigeria

The exploration of limestone is the nerve of socio-economic integration of the Igarra community. However, the exploration activities have been linked with several adverse effects on human health and the deterioration of the surrounding environment. This research work investigates the quality of air in the study area. Dust emission was measured using a digital air quality monitor of model HP 5800D PM2.5-10 with an accuracy of ±5% or ±4ug/m3 and measuring and detection ranges of 0.3 ug/m3 and 0-999.9 ug/m3. The dust level readings using PM2.5 and PM10 at 1 km apart from the three selected exploration sites in Igarra at a 60-minute interval was taken. Quarry one (Q1) recorded the lowest dust level of 20.6 μg//m3 for PM2.5 and 72.5 μg//m3 for PM10 in the early hours before exploration. The general outputs show that exploration sites (Q2) and (Q3) produced a high degree of polluted air than site Q1. A higher dust level of 966.0μg/m3 was recorded for PM10. The overall dust level measurements for PM2.5 and PM10 are higher than the recommended 70.0-80.0 μg/m3 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is projected that continuous emission of dust at Igarra could lead to an increasing number of diseases such as asthma, catarrh, and breathing problems. In conclusion, an integrated exploration mechanism is essential to improve air quality and substantially reduce air related pollution

Effects of Farmers’ Demographic Factors on the Adoption of Grain Storage Technologies Developed by Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI): A case study of selected villages in Ilorin West LGA of Kwara State.

This study was carried out to identify the factors that determine farmers’ adoption of NSPRI grain storage technologies in selected villages of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. Data used were collected from a total of 120 respondents who were randomly selected from 6 villages of the Local Government Area. 10% of all the farmers in each of the villages were interviewed. The variables examined in the study are sex, age, marital status, primary occupation, secondary occupation, level of education, number of dependents, years of farming, farm size, years of grain production, means of farm land acquisition and types of grain produced. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to analyze data. The inferential statistical tool used indicated significant relationship between sex and NSPRI grain storage technologies’ adoption.  Level of education and occupation were also significantly related to adoption of NSPRI grains storage technologies. This study recommends a wholesome dissemination model that will benefit both educated and uneducated farmer and also the involvement of farmers’ group or representatives in participatory approach of technology development, introduction and use. Keywords: Education, farming, occupation, participatory development, logit regression model

Attitudes towards genetic testing: The role of genetic literacy, motivated cognition, and socio-demographic characteristics

Understanding reasons for why people choose to have or not to have a genetic test is essential given the ever-increasing use of genetic technologies in everyday life. The present study explored the multiple drivers of people’s attitudes towards genetic testing. Using the International Genetic Literacy and Attitudes Survey (iGLAS), we collected data on: (1) willingness to undergo testing; (2) genetic literacy; (3) motivated cognition; and (4) demographic and cultural characteristics. The 37 variables were explored in the largest to-date sample of 4311 participants from diverse demographic and cultural backgrounds. The results showed that 82% of participants were willing to undergo genetic testing for improved treatment; and over 73%—for research. The 35 predictor variables together explained only a small proportion of variance: 7%—in the willingness to test for Treatment; and 6%—for Research. The strongest predictors of willingness to undergo genetic testing were genetic knowledge and deterministic beliefs. Concerns about data misuse and about finding out unwanted health-related information were weakly negatively associated with willingness to undergo genetic testing. We also found some differences in factors linked to attitudes towards genetic testing across the countries included in this study. Our study demonstrates that decision-making regarding genetic testing is influenced by a large number of potentially interacting factors. Further research into these factors may help consumers to make decisions regarding genetic testing that are right for their specific circumstances. Copyright: © 2023 Likhanov et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Potentials of microorganisms associated with plantain peels in the Lagos metropolis for biodegradation and bioconversion.

The role of microbes in the degradation of plantain derived-wastes and their potential to produce cellulolytic enzymes was assessed. Soil samples of decomposing waste piles were collected from two major plantain markets in the Lagos metropolis and analyzed for physicochemical properties, toxic heavy metal content and microbial populations. Findings revealed that the values of moisture content of the two soils varied between 7.27±0.04 and 8.06±0.19 %. M-12 site had the highest organic matter content of 6.89±0.14 %. A similar pattern was observed for nitrate, phosphate and chloride levels while some heavy metals were also detected in varying and high amounts. The highest viable bacterial counts was 58.0±2.9 x 104 cfu/g at MU and there were no fungi at the site whereas M-12 had a fungal count of 40.0±3.3 x 103 cfu/g. Out of the total of 34 isolates encountered, 8 isolates having maximum cellulase activities were selected for further studies by the primary screening technique. These test organisms were then evaluated by secondary screening for enzyme production. The test organisms were phenotypically and biochemically characterized and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae spp pneumoniae (2 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae spp ozaenae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Providencia alcalifaciens, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger respectively. Both the bacteria and moulds were found to be capable of utilizing lignin and cellulosic substrates for growth and for production of cellulolytic enzymes. It is suggested that such microorganisms could be useful in bioconversion of cellulosic substrates like plantain-derived wastes for biotechnological application

Data Mining in Health Care Sector: Literature Notes

© 2019 ACM. A standout amongst the most essential strides of the knowledge discovery in database KDD is data mining. Data mining is defined as a basic advance during the time spent learning discovery in databases in which understanding strategies are utilized in order to pattern discovery. Due to the huge amount of data available within the healthcare systems, data mining is important for the healthcare sector in the clinical and diagnosis diseases. However, data mining and healthcare organizations have developed some of dependable early discovery frameworks and different healthcare related frameworks from the clinical treatment and analysis information. The main motivation of this paper is to give a survey of data extraction in health care. In addition, the benefits and obstacles of the use of data extraction strategies in health care and therapeutic information have been thought

Inhaled carbon monoxide protects against the development of shock and mitochondrial injury following hemorrhage and resuscitation

Aims: Currently, there is no effective resuscitative adjunct to fluid and blood products to limit tissue injury for traumatic hemorrhagic shock. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of inhaled carbon monoxide (CO) to limit inflammation and tissue injury, and specifically mitochondrial damage, in experimental models of hemorrhage and resuscitation. Results: Inhaled CO (250 ppm for 30 minutes) protected against mortality in severe murine hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) (20% vs. 80%; P<0.01). Additionally, CO limited the development of shock as determined by arterial blood pH (7.25±0.06 vs. 7.05±0.05; P<0.05), lactate levels (7.2±5.1 vs 13.3±6.0; P<0.05), and base deficit (13±3.0 vs 24±3.1; P<0.05). A dose response of CO (25-500 ppm) demonstrated protection against HS/R lung and liver injury as determined by MPO activity and serum ALT, respectively. CO limited HS/R-induced increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels as determined by ELISA (P<0.05 for doses of 100-500ppm). Furthermore, inhaled CO limited HS/R induced oxidative stress as determined by hepatic oxidized glutathione:reduced glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation. In porcine HS/R, CO did not influence hemodynamics. However, CO limited HS/R-induced skeletal muscle and platelet mitochondrial injury as determined by respiratory control ratio (muscle) and ATP-linked respiration and mitochondrial reserve capacity (platelets). Conclusion: These preclinical studies suggest that inhaled CO can be a protective therapy in HS/R; however, further clinical studies are warranted

Dietary tuna hydrolysate modulates growth performance, immune response, intestinal morphology and resistance to Streptococcus iniae in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer

This study investigated the effects of tuna hydrolysate (TH) inclusion in fishmeal (FM) based diets on the growth performance, innate immune response, intestinal health and resistance to Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were prepared with TH, replacing FM at levels of 0% (control) 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, and fed fish to apparent satiation three times daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 5% and 10% TH had significantly higher final body weight and specific growth rate than the control. A significant reduction in blood glucose was found in fish fed 10%, 15% and 20% TH compared to those in the control whereas none of the other measured blood and serum indices were influenced by TH inclusion. Histological observation revealed a significant enhancement in goblet cell numbers in distal intestine of fish fed 5 to 10% TH in the diet. Moreover, fish fed 10% TH exhibited the highest resistance against Streptococcus iniae infection during a bacterial challenge trial. These findings therefore demonstrate that the replacement of 5 to 10% FM with TH improves growth, immune response, intestinal health and disease resistance in juvenile barramundi