DETERMINANTS OF INFLATION IN NIGERIA: A CO- INTEGRATION APPROACH

Inflation is undeniable one of most leading and dynamics macroeconomics issues confronting almost all economies of the world. Its dynamism has made it an imperative issue to be considered. Hence the study examines the factors affecting inflation in Nigeria. Time series data were employed for the study. The data was sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics. Descriptive statistics and cointegration analysis were the analytical tools used. It was observed that there were variations in the trend pattern of inflation rate. Some of the variables considered were significant in determining inflation in Nigeria. The previous total export was found to have a negative impact on current inflation while the previous total import exerts a positive effect likewise the food price index. It has thus been recommended that policies that will set the interest rate to a level at which it will encourage investment and increase in production level could be institutionalized, importation should be reduced in Nigeria such that it will not encourage change of consumer taste resulting to inflating prices, exchange rate system should be maintained at a level that will not impose threat on the Nigeria economy and the domestic consumption of petroleum product should be focused, not only exportation.Financial Economics,

Electrical resistivity investigation of the groundwater potential in parts of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria

Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out within the premises of the Institute of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic Campus, Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria, with the aim of determining viable aquiferous zones within the institute to alleviate the problems of well failure in the area. The study area is about 1.5kmsqures and is underlain by the Precambrian basement rocks comprising migmatite gneiss. Fifteen (15) VES were carried out using Schlumberger electrode arrayconfiguration with AB/2 equal to 70m. The VES data generated were processed and interpreted using partial curve matching method and computer iteration techniques. The interpreted data revealed three to four geoelectric sections with varied thicknesses and resistivity. The lateritic clay layer ranges from 53.1 to 302Ωm, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to474.2Ωm while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm. The lateritic clay layer resistivity and thickness range from 53.1 to 302Ωm and 1.9 to 8.0m respectively, the weathered horizon resistivity ranges from 22.7 to 474.2Ωm and 4.4 to 11.7m respectively while the competent rock has resistivity values greater than 220.3Ωm and 6.1 to ∞m respectively. The third geoelectric layer constitutes the aquiferous zone in the 4-layer geoelectric section while the second geoelectric layer is the aquiferous zone in all the 3- layer geoelectric sections. Only VES station 9 out of the 15 VES stations shows good groundwater potential as revealed by the thick overburden and weathered layer with low resistivity value. VES stations 3, 4, and 13 show poor groundwater potentials while the others are non-aquifereous in nature.Keywords: Basement, Parched Aquifer, Groundwater, Ilorin, Hydrogeolog

Protocol development for in-vitro propagation of Anthocephalus cadamba

The objective of this study is to establish the most suitable protocol for the micro propagation of Anthocephalus catamba. The seeds of the species were collected from the wild and stored in the Seed bank until time of use. These were subjected to surface-sterilization using systemic fungicide and other disinfectants. Different media strengths of Murashige and Skoog (MS) were used to determine the most efficient nutritional requirement. The media strengths employed in this experiment were ¼, ½ and full. The culture media were supplemented with 6-Benzylamino purine (BAP), Giberrellic acid (GA3) and N-acetic acid (NAA). The generated plantlets had no contamination in the growth room due to the methods employed in the disinfection. In almost all the results obtained, both the ¼ and ½ strength media produced better result than plantlets growing on full strength media. Treatment D (¼ strength, 0.1mg/L BAP, 0.2mg/L GA3 & 0.1mg/L produced the best results in all. From the results obtained from this study, it is recommended that lower basal salts will be required for the in-vitro propagation of A.cadamba.Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba, growth hormone, media strength, micro-propagation, plantlet

Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of Hybanthus enneaspermus and Paquetina nigricense

Phytochemical screening was carried out on aqueous leaf extracts of Hybanthus-enneaspermus [HE], Oldenlandia Carymbosa L [OL] and Paquetina-nigricense [PN], while antimicrobial screening was carried out on both methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of the two plants. The result revealed the presence of Alkaloids [Flavonoids, Cyanogenic-glycosides among others], Tannin and reducing substances. The antimicrobial results showed that methanolic and aqueous leaf extract of OL possessed antimicrobial and antifungal activity as it inhibited B. subtilis, Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus and Candida. The methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of PN, on the other hand also have similar effects like OL but at a different concentration. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the two plants extracts decreases with increasing shelf life. The plants are usually used for several reasons in antenatal care by  Traditional Birth attendants in South west Nigeria

Soil properties, nutritional quality and yield of two maize varieties using different bio-chars as amendment on metal contaminated soil

The study assessed the yield of the two maize varieties and also determined the proximate composition of the maize grains and assessed the effects  of the Bio-chars on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The field study was conducted within the vicinity of a metal recycling plant in Ile-Ife believed to have been contaminated with metal particulates and wastewater from the factory. Viable seeds of the two maize varieties (BR-9928-DMR-SR-Y and ART98/SW1) were obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR & T), Ibadan. The treatment were made up of the crop with: 100% maize stover (MS), 100% Milicia exelsa (ME), 50% MS + 50% AT, and each at the rate of ten tonnes per hectare as treatments. Zero Bio-char application served as control. The result indicate that the highest mean maize grain yield of 0.43 ± 0.28 t ha-1 with 100% maize stover Bio-char application was only significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 0.13 ± 0.08t ha-1 obtained from control plots. Lower values wereobtained with Br-9928-DMR-SR-R. Highest protein (9.94 ± 0.71%), crude fibre (2.60 ± 0.26%) and vitamin C (24.23 ± 2.26 mg kg-1) were obtained for the harvested ART 98 SW1 when compared with Br- 9928-DMR-SR-Y. Addition of Bio-chars soil enhanced the soil organic carbon, nitrogen, availablephosphorus and cation exchangeable capacity. The study concluded that the use of maize stover and M. exelsa Bio-chars at 10 t ha-1 as soil amendments enhanced the physiological performance, yields and proximate compositions of maize. It also enhanced the physical and chemical properties of the Bio-char amended metal contaminated soil. Keywords: Amendment, Bio-char, Contamination, soil properties, environment, maize, proximate composition, pollutio

Effect of variation in temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutters held in captivity

This study investigated the reproductive performance of grasscutter through oestrus, mating, parturition, abortion and litter size in establishing the success of this performance during the rainy season and dry season. Effects of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutter in captivity were duly observed. Twenty female grasscutters were used with ten males for mating and were subsequently individually caged to determine the outcome of male-female contact (i.e. mating, conception and parturition). The signs of mating were detected by observing the marks of climbing at the back of the female grasscutter (doe),observing the changes in the perineum of the female before and after mating, monitoring the changes in weight gained post-mating and presence of fetuses by abdominal palpation. Parturition was detected by monitoring the expectant mothers with successful mating signs and distended abdomens. Keywords: Grasscutter, reproductive performance, reproduction, parturition, mating

Bacterial Assessment and Quality Analysis of Raw Milk Sold in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria

Analysis of raw milk from four different local farmers within Gwagwalada Area Council (FCT) Abuja, were assessed to determine the bacterial load of the milk. The experiment was assigned to four treatment based on farm location, namely: Adams Farm (T1) (Control); Dagiri herd (T2); Kutunku herd (T3); and Dukpa herd (T4). The treatments had three replicates (R1-R3) in a randomized block design (CDR). The result revealed that raw milk sampled contained various bacteria species which include species of Bacillus subtillis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Lactobacillus spp,Streptococcus spp. The total viable bacteria counts ranged from 1.0 x106 -5.6x107 cfu/ml, while Bacillus subtillis has the highest frequency of occurrence (26.84%) followed by Escherichia coli (24.39%), Staphylococcus aureus (24.39%), Salmonella spp. (17.06%), Lactobacillus spp. (4.88%) and Streptococcus spp (2.44%). Bacteria count in treatment T3 had the lowest count followed by T4 and T2 and highest for T1. Treatment T3 is therefore better in terms of bacteria load than others (T1, T2 and T4). Key Words: Raw milk, Gwagwalada Area Council, Microbial load

Sensory evaluation and willingness to pay for orange flesh sweet potato

This study seeks to assess consumers’ awareness, acceptability and willingness to pay for orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data, which was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, was used for the study. A three stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents for the study. A total of 240 households were used for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, contingent valuation method, logistic regression model and Likert-type scale. Result of analysis revealed 65% of the respondents were aware of the health benefits of OFSP, 89.3% of the consumers were most willing to pay above the bid amount for OFSP in the study area. Also, willingness of consumers to pay for OFSP is significantly affected by age of household head, household size, education of household head, bid amount and awareness of the health benefits of OFSP. The constraints to the consumption of orange flesh sweet potato include scarcity of OFSP, technicality of preparation, perishability and the cost of OFSP. The study therefore recommended that the benefits of OFSP over its indigenous counterpart should be more publicized through research institutes, extension agencies, health workers, NGOs and media for the populace to be more aware, which will enhance consumption in order to alleviate vitamin a micronutrients deficiency. Also, OFSP should be made available at reasonable prices, given that bid amount could dissuade consumers who are interested

Microneedles from fish scale biopolymer

This article reports on microneedles produced from biopolymer films extracted from fish scales of tilapia (Oreochromiss sp.) using micromolding technique. Evaluation of the properties of polypeptide films prepared from the fish scales gave refractive index (1.34), protein concentration (78%), ash content (1.6%) at (22%) moisture content. The microneedles successfully inserted into artificial skin models and imaging using digital camera showed microneedles remained intact when inserted and when removed from the skin model. Microneedles also successfully inserted into porcine skin and were shown to dissolve gradually at 0 s, 60 s, 120 s, and 180 s after insertion. Microneedles containing methylene blue as model drug were also produced and successfully pierced porcine skin. 3D finite element (FEM) simulations were performed using the measured mechanical properties of the biopolymer films (Young's modulus 0.23 N/mm2 and tensile strength 1.8105 N/mm2) to evaluate the stress distribution on various dimensions of the fish scale derived microneedles and hence, their ability to withstand force necessary to pierce the skin without fracture. Results from mechanical analysis using FEM showed that microneedles with tip radius between 10 and 100 μm could withstand up to 0.12 N of force per microneedle without fracture, which is indicated when the stress at the tip of the microneedle exceeds the ultimate stress of the material of fabrication. Using skin insertion tests and finite element simulations, this study provides evidence that microneedles fabricated from fish scale biopolymer can effectively pierce and degrade into skin and therefore are good candidate for transdermal applications

Phosphorous application improves drought tolerance of Phoebe zhennan

Phoebe zhennan (Gold Phoebe) is a threatened tree species in China and a valuable and important source of wood and bioactive compounds used in medicine. Apart from anthropogenic disturbances, several biotic constraints currently restrict its growth and development. However, little attention has been given to building adaptive strategies for its conservation by examining its morphological and physio-biochemical responses to drought stress, and the role of fertilizers on these responses. A randomized experimental design was used to investigate the effects of two levels of irrigation (well-watered and drought-stressed) and phosphorous (P) fertilization treatment (with and without P) to assess the morphological and physio-biochemical responses of P. zhennan seedlings to drought stress. In addition, we evaluated whether P application could mitigate the negative impacts of drought on plant growth and metabolism. Drought stress had a significant negative effect on the growth and metabolic processes of P. zhennan. Despite this, reduced leaf area, limited stomatal conductance, reduced transpiration rate, increased water use efficiency, enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities, and osmolytes accumulation suggested that the species has good adaptive strategies for tolerating drought stress. Application of P had a significant positive effect on root biomass, signifying its improved water extracting capacity from the soil. Moreover, P fertilization significantly increased leaf relative water content, net photosynthetic rate, and maximal quantum efficiency of PSII under drought stress conditions. This may be attributable to several factors, such as enhanced root biomass, decreased malondialdehyde content, and the up-regulation of chloroplast pigments, osmolytes, and nitrogenous compounds. However, P application had only a slight or negligible effect on the growth and metabolism of well-watered plants. In conclusion, P. zhennan has a strong capability for drought resistance, while P application facilitates and improves drought tolerance mostly through physio-biochemical adjustments, regardless of water availability. It is imperative to explore the underlying metabolic mechanisms and effects of different levels of P fertilization on P. zhennan under drought conditions in order to design appropriate conservation and management strategies for this species, which is at risk of extinction.Instituto de Fisiología Vegeta