Application of Statistical and Mathematical Algorithms to Data Analytics and Job Creation in Nigeria

In this paper, we examine the use of statistical and mathematical algorithms in data analytics and their application in business intelligence, insights and collective intelligence, for enhanced job creation interventions in Nigeria. The paper argues that the demand-driven job creation, involving developing skills for existing vacancies or opportunities is no longer sustainable in the current challenging economic conditions. Rather it makes a case for supply-driven job creation, where skills are developed in technology and data analytics (with strong reliance on statistics and mathematics), with a view to solving business and corporate problems, thereby enhancing job creation in those businesses and corporations, which hitherto had no vacancies. The paper surveys statistical and mathematical algorithms, categorized as supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, applied in data analytics, and discusses the emerging requirements for data analytics in modern business and corporations. It further discusses modern application of data analytics in a number of business areas such as marketing, customer management, finances, data mining, web and learning, highlighting a number of metrics specific to each sector. The paper also identifies the specialized skills required to create job opportunities in key sectors in Nigeria. Drawing extensively from the lead author’s experience in the UK, the paper presents how skills in modern data analytics can lead in creating job opportunities, a major lesson for Nigeria. Keywords: Job Creation, Data Analytics, Data Science, Business intelligence, Insights, Algorithm

Futuristic Ocean Acidification Levels Reduce Growth and Reproductive Viability in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

In this study, we investigated the effects of futuristic pH because of climate change on the growth and reproductive viability of the Pacific oysters. The futuristic pH levels to which adult oysters were exposed are 7.5 and 7.8 (as extreme case) and 8.1 (as moderate case), with pH 8.2 serving as the control. We monitored growth and reproductive viability over a four-week exposure period. The reproductive viability of the oysters exposed to each pH level were assessed based on the sperm motility and egg viability. Throughout the exposure period, the induced acidified nature of each treatment aquaria was maintained. Data obtained from this investigation revealed significant decrease in weight of oysters exposed to pH 7.5 and 7.8 compared to the groups exposed to pH levels 8.1 and 8.2 (p < 0.05). Groups of oysters exposed to pH 7.5 recorded as much as 10.49% decrease in weight, with specific growth rate (SGR) of -0.4 %/day. Reproductive viability was significantly compromised in groups exposed to pH 7.5 and 7.8 as evident with reduced sperm motility and percentage of ruptured eggs in these groups of oysters. We therefore postulate that climate change will have significant impact on the recruitment of oysters in coastal waters as growth and reproduction will be impaired at extreme levels of futuristic ocean acidification.Keywords: Ocean acidification, climate change, growth, reproductive viability, Crassostrea giga

Economic Integration in the ECOWAS: Implications for Financial Intermediation in Nigeria

The study employed the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to co-integration to estimate a set of four models with a view to examining the impact of ECOWAS integration on financial intermediation in Nigeria, which was differentiated by type of financial development indicators (FD) used as dependent variable in the different models. The dependent variables were the proxies for financial intermediation in Nigeria, namely; ratio of credit to private sector provided by commercial banks to national GDP (CPS_GDP); ratio of broad money supply (M2) to GDP (M2_GDP); and ratio of commercial bank’s assets to the combination of commercial banks’ and central bank’s assets (COMB_ASSETS). A composite measure of the three financial intermediation indicator was also used in the fourth model. The study data ranged from 1960 to 2018, and comprised Nigerian and ECOWAS macroeconomic variables obtained from different sources.  ADF test was conducted to test for unit root and the result showed that the variables have a unit root. Across the four models, the results of the study showed that ECOWAS regional economic integration does not significantly influence the degree of financial intermediation in Nigeria, and may not be promoting development of the Nigerian financial sector. On the contrary, domestic macroeconomic developments are, however, more supportive of financial intermediation in Nigeria, and suggest the need to improve monetary conditions and credit access and availability. It has become imperative, therefore, to carry out a cost-benefit and impact analyses of the region’s integration to help reposition the country for its benefits. Keywords: economic integration, financial intermediation, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), co-integration, ECOWAS, Nigeria JEL Classification: E44, F36, G2, G32, G21. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-4-06 Publication date: February 29th 2020

Frequency Of Delusional Halitosis In A University Community

Objective: This study reviewed the prevalence of delusional halitosis and analyzed the frequency of this condition within the University Community, over a period of three years. Method: Sixty-eight (68) patients with delusional halitosis were diagnosed over a period of three years (2001 to 2003), at the Dental Hospital, University of Benin, Nigeria. Results: Within the University Community; there were 14 cases (20.1%) and the largest group was within 20 to 29 years, 12 cases (17.7%). Conclusion: The study suggests an increased level of awareness or an increased prevalence of this condition within the same population. A fifth of the patients were within the University Community; mostly male students who suffered social embarrassment and poor academic performance. Key Words: Frequency, Delusional Halitosis, University-Communit

Prevalence of malaria and anaemia among HIV infected patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence of malaria and anaemia in HIV-infected persons and the effect of age, gender and CD4+T cell counts thereon. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 491 patients (240 female) attending an out patient clinic. Malaria parasitaemia was diagnosed by microscopy while anaemia was defi ned as haemoglobin concentration <130g/L in males and <120g/L in females. The CD4 + T cell count was estimated by fl ow cytometry.Results: HIV infection was a risk factor for malaria infection(OR: 16.31; 95% CI: 7.41-35.87; p < 0.0001). CD4+T cell counts was equally a signifi cant risk factor in malaria infection among HIVinfected patients (OR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.28-3.02; p = 0.002). The prevalence of anaemia was signifi cantly affected by HIV-infection (OR: 25.12; 95% CI: 11.42-55.28; p < 0.0001) while age was not associated with increased risk of malaria infection (p=0.13).Conclusions: A prevalence of 46.0% of malaria infection among HIV-infected was observed. HIV-infected patients were more likely to develop malaria and anaemia, while CD4+T cell counts < 200cells/μL was associated with an increased risk of malaria infection among HIV-infected. Age and gender did not affect the prevalence of malaria. HIV status should be considered early in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected malaria and anaemia

Cryptosporidiosis Among HIV-infected Patients with Diarrhea in Edo State, Midwesten Nigeria

To determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among HIV infected and HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea in Edo State, Nigeria, as well as the effect of CD4+ lymphocyte count on the prevalence of cryptosporidial infection among the HIV patients. Stool samples were collected from 300 patients consisting of 200 HIV-infected and 100 HIV non-infected patients with diarrhea. Blood samples were collected from the HIV-infected patients. The stool samples were processed to detect Cryptosporidium species using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, as well as other intestinal parasites using saline and iodine preparations. The blood samples were used to determine CD4+ lymphocyte count. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in HIV-infected patients compared with their HIV non-infected counterparts (39% vs 24% respectively, p=0.0097). Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed only among HIV-infected patients and was the only parasite whose prevalence was significantly different between HIV-infected and HIV non-infected patients. CD4+ lymphocyte count of <200 cells/µL among HIV-infected was a risk factor for acquiring cryptosporidial infection (OR=18.776, 95% CI=6.299, 55.964). A cryptosporidial infection prevalence of 18% among HIV-infected patients was observed and CD4+ count of <200 cells/µL was a risk factor for acquiring the disease. Routine examination of diarrhogenic stools of HIVinfected patients for cryptosporidiosis is advocated

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells through controlled release of growth factors from microspheres

The development of microspheres for the sustained delivery of protein and small drug delivery has been utilised in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. However problems exist in obtaining a controlled and predictable release pattern of the encapsulated molecules from these materials. In this study, microspheres with a zero order release kinetic profile and no lag phase were developed from a novel PLGA based polymer blend. The novel PLGA based polymer blend was made from blending PLGA with varying compositions of the triblock co-polymer PLGA-PEG-PLGA. These blends were subsequently used in the fabrication of lysozyme and dexamethasone loaded microspheres. Blending of the triblock copolymer with PLGA resulted in a reduction of the glass transition temperature (36.1ºC against 59.7ºC) and an increased mechanical strength (25.25 ± 1.26MPa against 0.26 ± 0.05MPa) for PLGA and 30% triblock w/w microspheres respectively. An incremental increase in the triblock composition within the Triblock/PLGA blends resulted in a corresponding reduction in glass transition temperature of the microspheres. Varying the triblock composition within the microspheres showed no significant effect on entrapment efficiency (EE) of lysozyme (protein) and dexamethasone (drug) within fabricated microspheres (EE ~ 60% for and 75% for loading weight 5% w/w for lysozyme and dexamethasone microspheres respectively). Controlled release experiments showed incorporation of the triblock increased the burst release of the protein and drug molecules from the microspheres and improved their release kinetics, with zero-order release profile (post burst phase) observed at a triblock composition of 30% w/w. A positive correlation between the amount of triblock within the triblock / PLGA blend and the rate of protein and drug release was also observed. The induction of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis within stem cells seeded on dexamethasone and ascorbate phosphate, and TGF-β3 loaded scaffolds was successfully demonstrated. Zonal release of TGF-β3 and BMP4 proteins from a bilayered scaffold was also demonstrated. However experiments conducted to demonstrate the tissue zonation within a bone cartilage bilayered construct developed from embryonic stem cell seeded TGF-β3 and BMP4 loaded bilayered scaffolds yielded inconclusive data. These results suggests that protein and drug loaded injectable microspheres for tissue engineering applications can be formed from triblock/PLGA blends, and that by varying the triblock composition, the temperature at which the microspheres form scaffolds, the release kinetics and the mechanical strength of the resulting scaffolds can be controlled

Toxicological and biochemical investigations in rats administered “kaun” (trona) a natural food additive used in Nigeria

Trona, a geological mineral, is often used as a natural food additive in many parts of Nigeria. This work was done to evaluate trona for metal content, acute toxicity and biochemical effects on vital organs such as the liver and the kidney. Consequently, graded doses of 10, 100, 1000, 1500 and 5000 mg trona per kg body weight were administered to determine their effects on body weight changes, relative organ weight, acute toxicity, liver and renal function indices and oxidative status of rats. Elemental analyses revealed the presence of high levels of sodium and iron, the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium, zinc and lead were also detected. There were losses in weights only at the 5000 mg/kg dose levels; relative liver and kidney weights were not affected. Acute toxicity tests recorded no mortality and no visible sign of toxicity. There were significant increases in ALT, AST and ALP activities at all dose levels except at the 10 mg/kg dose level. Liver MDA levels were significantly increased while catalase and SOD activities were significantly reduced in all the test rats compared with control. Kidney MDA levels were only affected at dose levels 5000 mg/kg; kidney SOD and catalase activities were not significantly affected. Creatinine, sodium and potassium levels were also not affected. These results show that trona may elicit toxic effects on the liver on prolonged administration, however no toxic effect was observed on the kidney within the duration of this study

Project leadership functions and the associated behaviour for projects and project organizations

Individuals and their leadership competencies have been the sole focus of project leadership research, rather than the project leadership's behaviour and functions in project and organizational settings. As a result, this study investigates the project leadership functions and behaviours required for various project and organizational situations in order to propose a project leadership model that will be effective in all project and organizational situations. The model that was developed and tested in this study theorized on the project leadership function that project leaders are expected to perform as a result of their positions. It also described how project leaders could tailor their leadership functions and behaviours to address issues related to positions, organizational situations, and project situations. Three hypotheses were developed and tested using structural equation modelling to validate the model. The model's perceptive power demonstrates adequate validity. The model's validity implies that there are appropriate project leadership functions for different leadership levels and circumstances. The model's validity also implies that each project leadership behaviour has its own value, as conditions and necessities dictate. The study assumes that a project leader can embrace project leadership by combining a few different project leadership functions and behaviours