An Improved Computational Model for Adaptive Communication Channel Estimation

Channel estimation is an important and necessary function performed by modern wireless receivers. The goal of channel estimation is to measure the effects of the channel on known or partially known transmission. The usual practice in acquiring knowledge about a channel is to model the channel and then acquire the parameters involved in the model. This paper proposes a variable partial update model for adaptive communication channel estimation with a view to improving signal error at the receiver station. The proposed model is composed of finite impulse response transversal adaptive filter and least mean square adaptation algorithm. The performance of the proposed model was compared with the full update model. The evaluation results indicated that the proposed model performed better than the full update model in terms of computational complexity, memory load, and convergence rate

Demographic attributes of COVID-19 patients in an Infectious Disease Center of Nigeria

Background: As part of our contribution to the growing pool of knowledge on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study describes the demographic features of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Infectious Disease Center (IDC), Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of COVID-19 patients whose data were collected during admission between April 27, 2020 and June 20, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed on nasopharyngeal specimen using a real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., USA) version 20.0Results: Among 131 patients, 58% were between age 18 and 35 years, 48.1% were employees of private establishments, and 64.1% were males. High proportion (84.3%) of the patients spent less than 14 days on admission. As at June 20, 2020, the overall COVID-19 mortality in the IDC was 0.0%.Conclusion: This study concluded that COVID-19 was common among male Nigerians, those working in private establishments, and those aged 18-35 years. Future researches on COVID-19 in Nigeria must put gender and age into consideration. Keywords: SARS-COV2; COVID-19; age; gender; occupation French Title: Attributs démographiques des patients atteints de COVID-19dans un centre de maladies infectieuses du Nigéria Contexte: Dans le cadre de notre contribution au pool croissant de connaissances sur la prévention et le contrôle de la pandémie COVID-19, cette étude décrit les caractéristiques démographiques des patients atteints de COVID19 hospitalisés au Centre des maladies infectieuses (IDC), Olodo, Ibadan, État d'Oyo, Nigéria. Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive de patients atteints de COVID-19 dont lesdonnées ont été collectées lors de l'admission entre le 27 avril 2020 et le 20 juin 2020. L'infection par le  SRASCoV-2 a été diagnostiquée sur un échantillon nasopharyngé à l'aide d'une transcription inverse en temps réel–Test de réaction en chaîne par polymérase (rRT-PCR). Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du StatisticalPackage for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., USA) version 20.0 Résultats: Parmi 131 patients, 58% avaient entre 18 et 35 ans, 48,1% étaient des employés d'établissementsprivés et 64,1% étaient des hommes. Une forte proportion (84,3%) des patients ont passé moins de 14 jours àl'admission. Au 20 juin 2020, la mortalité globale par COVID-19 dans l'IDC était de 0,0%. Conclusion: Cette étude a conclu que le COVID-19 était courant chez les hommes Nigérians, ceux travaillantdans des établissements privés et ceux âgés de 18 à 35 ans. Les futures recherches sur le COVID-19 au Nigériadoivent prendre en compte le sexe et l'âge. Mots clés: SRAS-COV2; COVID-19; âge; le sexe; occupatio

Assessment of heterotic patterns of tropical low-nitrogen–tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines using testcross performance, morphological traits and SNP markers

Published online: 30 Sep 2020Breeding efforts in West and Central Africa (WCA) have focused on the development of Low‐N‐tolerant (LNT) maize inbreds and their classification into heterotic groups. This study was conducted to classify LNT maize lines into heterotic groups using testcross performance, morphological and SNP markers and to compare the consistency of groupings by the three methods. Thirty‐six LNT inbreds were crossed to two contrasting inbred testers to generate 72 testcrosses that were evaluated under low‐N conditions in Nigeria in 2014. Also, the 36 inbreds and the two testers were evaluated for per se performance under similar conditions as the testcrosses in 2014 and genotyped in 2015 using 1,123,196 SNP markers. Based on testcross performance, 33 of the 36 LNT inbreds were grouped by the two testers. Morphological characterization from per se performance and genetic relationship by SNP markers classified the inbreds into four groups that were inconsistent with their pedigree. Correlation analysis showed non‐concurrence of the three grouping methods. However, information from these groupings would assist in reducing the number of crosses to be made and evaluated

Assessment of genetic diversity among low-nitrogen-tolerant early generation maize inbred lines using SNP markers

Low soil nitrogen (low-N) level is responsible for yield reduction in maize (Zea mays L.) fields in sub-Saharan Africa. A clear understanding of the genetic diversity among early generation inbred lines selected from various elite low-N- tolerant populations offers an opportunity to obtain lines that could be used in parental combinations to develop high-yielding low-N-tolerant maize hybrids. A total of 115 S3 lines derived from four low-N-tolerant populations were assessed for genetic diversity using 15 670 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The SNP markers were highly polymorphic with polymorphic information content ranging from 0.0 to 0.38. The genetic diversity among the inbred lines ranged from 0.0 to 0.50 and thus indicated the high level of dissimilarity among the inbred lines. The neighbour-joining clustering algorithm and model-based population structure classified the 115 lines into four distinct groups that were generally consistent with the genetic backgrounds of the inbred lines. The information obtained from this study revealed genetic diversity among the inbred lines and may guide the selection of potential parents for detailed combining ability studies and eventual use in hybrid combinations. The selected inbred lines would be invaluable in the development of low-N-tolerant hybrids

Performance and quality attributes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) fruits grown under soil applied Zn‑fertilizer, green biomass and poultry manure

Field experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons at Landmark University Teaching and Research farm, Omu-Aran Kwara state, Nigeria, to determine the efect of soil applied Zn-fertilizer, Tithonia diversifolia (Ti), Chromolaena odorata (Ch) and poultry manure (PM) on the performance, yield, minerals and vitamins composition of okra fruits. Treatments were combined and tested as follows:—Control (T1), Control + 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T2), 5 t ha−1 Ti + 5 t ha−1 PM (T3), 5 t ha−1 Ch+ 5 t ha−1 PM (T4), 5 t ha−1 Ch+ 5 t ha−1 Ti (T5), 10 t ha−1 Ti + 0 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T6), 10 t ha−1 Ti + 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T7), 10 t ha−1 Ch+ 0 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T8), 10 t ha−1 Ch+ 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T9), 10 t ha−1 PM+ 0 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T10), and 10 t ha−1 PM+ 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T11). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four repetitions. Vegetative, yield and quality parameters of okra were taken. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at p≤ 0.05. Variations were observed on the vegetative parameters, yield, minerals and vitamin composition of okra among the applied amendments. The combined application of green biomass, poultry manure, and Zn-fertilizer improved all the variables tested as compared to when they were applied singly. Application of Zn-fertilizer to some selected plots signifcantly increased yield, Zn, Mg and vitamins concentration of okra. Application of 5 t ha−1 Ti + 5 t ha−1 PM+ 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T3) and 5 t ha−1 Ch+ 5 t ha−1 PM+ 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T4) signifcantly improved all the parameters tested but the use of 5 t ha−1 Ti + 5 t ha−1 PM+ 10 kg ­ha−1 Zn (T3) resulted in optimum yield and at the same time increase minerals and vitamin concentration of okra. The results of this study therefore showed that Tithonia diversifolia (Ti) as green biomass contained and released more and quality nutrients than Chromolaena odorata (Ch) when combined with equal rate of Zn fertilizer and poultry manure

Prevalence and predictors of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in a semi-urban Nigerian community: A cross-sectional study

Background: The uptake of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is low globally including Nigeria despite its benefits and interventions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of EBF among mothers in a semiurban Nigerian community. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among nursing mothers attending the immunization clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. A semi-structured questionnaire containing the World Health Organization’s indicators for assessing breastfeeding practices was used for data collection. Results: A total of 386 mothers were recruited with a mean age of 30.8 ± 5.0 years. Among them, 149 (36.8%) were below 30 years, 345 (89.4%) have had ANC visit at least four times, and 259 (67.1%) had initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery. The prevalence of EBF was 52.6%. Natural feeds were the common feeds introduced after 6 months among 159 (78.3%) mothers. One hundred and forty-four  (62.1%) nursing mothers aged 30 years or older practiced EBF compared to 72 (48.3%) persons below 30  years (X2 = 6.290, p = 0.012). Also, 38 (70.3%) mothers who have delivered four or more children practiced  EBF compared to 180 (54.2%) with fewer children (X2 = 5.437, p = 0.020). Nursing mothers aged  30 years or older had 36% higher odds of practicing EBF compared to younger persons (Adjusted  Odds Ratio = 1.358, 95%CI = 0.886 – 2.081, p = 0.160). Conclusion: To achieve the WHO recommended target of ensuring that 90% of nursing mothers practice EBF, advocacy and health education must be intensified

COMPARISON OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOME SELECTED ALMOND CULTIVARS WITH HARD AND SOFT SHELL UNDER COMPRESSION LOADING

The mechanical properties of Nonpareil versus Gulcan 101-23 almond cultivars that have different shell properties were loaded between two parallel plates to determine the rupture force, rupture energy, rupture power requirement, toughness and firmness. The tests were carried out with three moisture contents, namely, 7.2, 22.9 and 33.6% wet basis and three loading axes (x, y, z). Physical characteristics of the almond cultivars such as length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, volume, surface area and weight were determined. Physical properties of both cultivars increased as a numerical by increasing moisture content. The highest rupture force in all moisture content levels was obtained for almond pit loaded along the y-axis. In addition to rupture force, values of absorbed energy, toughness, power requirement and firmness were calculated as mechanical properties. The maximum force required to initiate pit rupture was found as maximum 554.3 N at y-axis for 7.2% moisture content and minimum 126.9 N at x-axis for 33.6% moisture content for Gulcan 101-23 cultivar. These values were determined as 53.3 and 11.2 N, respectively, for Nonpareil cultivar. Rupture force, absorbed energy, toughness, power requirement and firmness decreased with an increase of moisture content. The difference between mechanical properties of Nonpareil versus Gulcan 101-23 almond cultivars was found to be highly significant (P < 0.001)

Physiological growth, yield and quality responses of okra to sole and combined soil application of green biomass, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers

Agronomic practices using different organic materials helps in improving soil fertility and quality of produce. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different sole and combined application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the physiological growth, yield and quality of okra. Treatments consisted two green biomass viz- Gliricidia sepium leaves (5 and 10 t ha-1 Gs), Chromolaena odorata leaves (5 and 10 t ha-1 Co), poultry manure (5 and 10 t ha-1 Pm), zinc sulphate (0 and 10 kg ha-1 Zn) and NPK fertilizer (200 kg ha-1 NPK) in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Application of 5 t ha-1 Co ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T2), 10 t ha-1 Pm ? 0 kg ha-1 Zn (T8) and 10 t ha-1 Pm ? 10 kg ha-1 Zn (T9) increased vegetative growth, number of fruits and quality of okra fruits similar to application of NPK except fruit weight per hectare while 5 t ha-1 Gs ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T1) improved all the parameters including fruit weight. Effects of treatments had significant influences on the proximate composition. The average concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe) detected in the samples were all below the safe limit. Incorporation of 5 t ha-1 Gs ? 5 t ha-1 Pm (T1) will be adequate for growth, yield and quality characteristics of okra without the addition zinc sulphate fertilizer. Further increase in the amendments may therefore not be economical