Fiscal Policy and Term Structure of Interest Rate in Nigeria

The study examines the effects of fiscal policy on term structure of interest rate in Nigeriabetween 1981 and 2014. The paper built on the fact that continuous increase in fiscal deficit in Nigeria has not translated into equal change in term structure of interest rate as proposed by the economic theory. Using secondary annual time series data which are obtained from Central Bank statistical bulletin, 2014, the paper employed appropriate econometric techniques such unit-root test, Johansen Co-integration technique, Error Correction Mechanism and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares. The paper shows that fiscal deficit has a positive and significant effect on term structure of interest rate in Nigeria and concludes that consumers are not forward-looking in Nigeria as proposed by Ricardian Equivalence Hypothesis theory. Consumers in Nigeria increase their consumptions has government employed expansionary fiscal policy which may reduce the savings and investment. Consequently, reduces growth. Thus, the implication is that fiscal deficit could responsible for the uncertainties and inconsistencies in the term structure of interest rates in Nigeria

Comparative Investigation of Nutrients and Valuable Minerals in Various Parts of Horseradish (Moringa oleifera. Lam) Plant

The present study was carried out to assess and evaluate the distribution of minerals and nutritional composition of various parts of Moringa oleifera plant (Horseradish or Drumstick tree popularly called Ewe-igbale in Yoruba language) which were investigated with the aim of ascertaining the various compositions of nutrients and nutritionally valuable minerals. The Moringa oleifera plant used in this work was obtained from Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The proximate composition was carried out using the AOAC methods while minerals were analysed using x-ray diffraction fluorescence spectroscopic technique as Sodium and potassium were determined using flame atomic spectroscopy. The results of the analyses showed that the various parts of the plant contained high percentage of nutritional components as well as macro and micro elements of nutritional important. The respective plant parts contained higher concentration of one important nutritional component or the other. The nutritional composition showed that Protein and Fat content of the seed (33.87% and 40.61%) respectively are higher than other parts of the plant as ash content of the root (15.04%) is far higher than all the other parts of the plant. Sodium and potassium proportions were higher in the bark (3150mg/100mL and 7690mg/100mL) and root (3160mg/100ml and 6740mg/100ml) respectively than in the other parts of the plant. Calcium, another important element and manganese were higher in the leaf than other parts of the plant. These results actually showed that the Moringa oleifera plant is a rich source of nutritionally valuable minerals, protein and fat, which are of great nutritional importance. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, plant parts, nutritional composition, elements composition

Case Report: Resolution of a periodontoid rheumatoid pannus mass in an elderly patient treated with a rigid cervical collar: A case report and literature review

In patients with C2 rheumatoid pannus with spinal cord compression the treatment of choice is extensive surgery either through a transoral resection of the dens axis or a dorsal stabilisation, or both. We present a case of an 11-mm rheumatoid pannus with significant compression of the spinal cord, which failed surgical treatment with respect to dorsal stabilisation. Therefore, rigid cervical collar for 8 weeks followed by soft collar for another 4 weeks was chosen as a treatment option. During the follow-up period of 1 year, the pannus reduced significantly and the spinal cord decompressed. In cases where surgery is not an option or is technically very demanding, the alternative of cervical collar immobilisation is a satisfying option

Modeling The Nigerian Stock Exchange Data Characterized with Heteroscedasticity Disturbances Using Bayesian Approach

The stock exchange plays a crucial role in influencing the development of a country’s economy and growth.. This paper examines the Nigerian Stock Exchange data in the presence of heteroscedasticity disturbances parameters of Nigerian Stock Exchange using a wide range of variables. The results indicate that Bayesian estimation is reliable since the parameter estimates are consistent. Finally, Bayesian estimation when heteroscedasticity structure is present performs better than the homoscedasticity counterpart. Keywords: Bayesian estimation, heteroscedasticity, homoscedasticity, prior, posterior distribution

Doe productivity indices and sire effects of a heterogeneous rabbit population in South-western Nigeria

Doe productivity indices are important in evaluating rabbit population since it influences the efficiency and profitability of rabbit production for small-holders and commercial rabbit production. Rabbits for this study were obtained from heterogeneous populations reared in south-western Nigeria, and a total of fifty-six adult rabbits (6 months old) comprising of 49 does and 7 sires were randomly allocated into sire families. Reproductive data were taken from each breeding doe and recorded for each sire family. The reproductive data obtained include annual productivity indices for each doe and sire family at birth, weaning and at week 12 post-partum. The total number of kits delivered at each kindling were recorded as the litter size at birth , the numbers weaned/doe/year were derived by multiplying the average litter size at weaning by number of litters/doe/year. The numbers of fryers/doe/year were obtained by multiplying average number weaned/doe by number of litters/doe/year multiplied by post weaning survival. Annual fryer yield (kg)/doe/year were obtained by multiplying total number of fryers/doe/year with live market weight (kg). Kilogram meat/doe/year were derived from the product of annual fryer yield (kg)/doe/year and the dressing percentage (0.55). Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using SAS® 2004. Results showed that, the long kindling interval (93 to 115 days ) between two consecutive litters affected overall numerical doe productivity with a range of 6 to 27, 3 to 21 and 3 to 18 kits per doe/year at kindling, weaning and 12th week of age respectively. Annual fryer yield/doe/year was 20.24 Kg and the projected Kg meat/doe/year was 11.13 Kg. Mortality was highest in the first two weeks of life and continued to occur throughout the period of the study though at varying degrees across sire families. There was significant sire effect (P<0.05) in litter size at weaning and kindling- interval in the sire families. It was concluded that, the major factors affecting doe productivity indices in this population were low litter size at birth, long kindling interval and pre-weaning mortality. Thus, future genetic improvement programmes targeted towards productivity for this rabbit population must consider selection for traits which include increased litter size at birth, short kindling interval and low pre-weaning mortality in the maternal lines while litter size at weaning and kindling interval must be considered for the paternal lines

Comparative evaluation of the performance of motorized and pole and Knife oil palm fruit bunch harvester

In this study the performance of a motorized palm fruit bunch harvester (MBH) was evaluated in comparison with the bamboo-pole-and-knife harvester (BPK). The MBH was first tested on Nigerian plantations for the palm trees it could reach. The average time taken to harvest a bunch and the time taken per hectare of plantation were determined. The best orientation and the cutting angle for the harvester were also determined. The exact height which the harvester could reach was also determined on the plantations. The harvester was later used in comparison with (BPK) method on palms of moderate height and the average time of harvest per bunch, field capacity, as well as cost of operation was determined for the two methods. Time study (TS) of the two methods was also carried out.The result showed that MBH could harvest between the height of 2.5 m and 4.5 m of palm conveniently. The average time of harvest per tree and speed of harvest for MBH and BPK were 98.86 s and 66 bunches/h; and 166.93 s and 40 bunches/h, respectively. This shows that time of harvest for motorized harvester is over 60% lower, and the speed of harvest is over 50% higher than bamboo pole and knife. The time of harvest per hectare for both MBH and BPK are approximately 4 h/ha and 7 h/ha, respectively. The rate of fuel consumption was estimated to be 1.03 L/h. Moreover, the cost of operation for MBH and BPK was estimated to be ₦ 10,223.46 and ₦ 16,950 per hectare, respectively. The cost of operation using the BPK is over 60 per cent more than that of the MBH. Statistical analysis of the effect of time of harvest on methods indicated that the effect was significant (p < 0.05). The study concluded that motorized oil palm bunch cutter can effectively and efficiently handle palms of moderate height in Nigerian oil palm plantations and performed better than the bamboo pole and knife. The result showed that MBH could harvest between the height of 2.5 m and 4.5 m of palm conveniently. The average time of harvest per tree and speed of harvest for MBH and BPK were 98.86 sec. and 66 bunches/h; and 166.93 sec. and 40 bunches/h, respectively. This shows that time of harvest for motorized harvester is over 60% lower, and the speed of harvest is over 50% higher than bamboo pole and knife. The time of harvest per hectare for both MBH and BPK are approximately 4 h/ha and 7h/ha, respectively. The rate of fuel consumption was estimated to be 1.03 L/h. Moreover, the cost of operation for MBH and BPK was estimated to be ₦ 10,223.46 and ₦ 16,950 per hectare, respectively. The cost of operation using the BPK is over 60 per cent more than that of the MBH. Statistical analysis of the effect of time of harvest on methods indicated that the effect was significant (p < 0.05). The study concluded that motorized oil palm bunch cutter can effectively and efficiently handle palms of moderate height in Nigerian oil palm plantations and performed better than the bamboo pole and knife

Development of a support mechanism for the use of motorized oil palm fruit bunch cutter

In this study a support mechanism (SP) for a palm fruit bunch harvester was designed, fabricated and tested on a plantation. This was with a view to adapting the cutter for harvesting tall oil palm trees in Nigeria. The design concept for the support mechanism was conceived as a mast pyramid which simulates an adjustable ladder pivoted on wheels comprising three segments, namely: the wheels which facilitate easy movement within the plantation; the lower segment, which comprises the stands and the upper segment which comprises the chamber (equipped with a platform) in which the operator (the climber) stands. The support mechanism was tested in comparison with the existing rope-and-knife (RK) method. The harvesting parameters used are time to climb up the palm (TU); time to cut (TC); time to come down from the palm (TD); number of bunches harvested (NB) and total time of harvest (T). A regression analysis was carried out on the data collected using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) package. The result shows that using the support mechanism for the motorized bunch cutter was easier than rope and knife (RK). The average time of harvest T, TU, TD, and TC per tree, for the SP and RK are 190 s and 391 s; 21 s and 152 s; 21 s and 103 s; and 147 s and 134 s, respectively. The total time of harvest for RK is over 100% more than the time of harvest for SP. The time of harvest per hectare for SP and RK are approximately 9 h/ha and 20 h/ha, respectively. The comparison of SP and RK shows that there is a significant difference in TU, TD, NB, T, but there was no difference in TC, (p < 0.05). The study concluded that the support mechanism shows promise in enhancing the use of the motorized bunch cutter for tall palms and hence should be adopted

Comparative Antioxidant Effects of Two Separate Ethanolic Extracts Fed Female Albino Rats on Some Tissue Markers

Garcinia kola and Curcuma longa possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-toxic properties which makes them ideal choices in traditional alternative medicine. Kolaviron and curcumin ethanoic extracts are from Garcinia kola and Curcuma longa respectively and have shown ample beneficial health effect in animal models of diseases and also in the prevention of hepatoxicity induced by several toxins.  The aim of the study was to compare the separate effects of kolaviron and curcumin ethanoic extracts on blood parameters in female Wister albino rats. Eighty-four female albino rats were used in this study and were grouped into fertile, infertile and pregnant rats in the investigation. Anti-oxidant markers such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferase (GST) were assayed for in this study.The result shows that both kolaviron and curcumin, possess antioxidant properties and the results from the three groups investigated, showed that the extracts had similar influence (anti-oxidants effect) on pregnancy, as kolaviron showed a bit more “potency”. In the infertile rats, both extracts present competing anti-oxidants effects on the organs. In conclusion, kolaviron presented a more effective anti-oxidants property across the three subject groups studied compared to curcumin. Keywords: Garcinia Kola, Turmeric, Kolaviron, Curcumin, Haematological, antioxidants Parameters DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-6-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

DNA Barcode Authentication and Improvement of Andrographolide Yield in Andrographis paniculata Plant

Background: Andrographolide, the major bioactive compound responsible for most pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial activity exhibited by the Andrographis paniculata plant is present in small quantities. In addition, the genus Andrographis has about 28 species most of which possess no medicinal value. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcode is utilized in species identification and plant authentication.Objectives: This study aimed at authenticating Andrographis paniculata using DNA barcodes and improving the yield of andrographolide via enzymatic treatment.Materials and Method: The DNA of Andrographis plant was obtained using the Qiagen kit. The psbA-trnH and rbcL DNA barcode regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Presence of amplified regions was confirmed using gel electrophoresis and the amplicons were sequenced. A blast N search was performed on the sequenced DNA. The constituents of A. paniculata dried leaves was extracted using methanol, followed by treatment with and without β glucosidase. The extract obtained was dried and partitioned using ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was concentrated and dissolved in methanol. Andrographolide content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The psbA-trnH and rbcL DNA regions were successfully amplified having 358 and 604 bp respectively. The DNA barcode sequences obtained were identical to the psbA-trnH (97%) and rbcL (99%) genes of A. paniculata voucher MICET P00101. The mean andrographolide yield was 9.4±0.11mg/g and 8.9±0.13mg/g dry weight for the treatment and control groups respectively; statistical analysis at p = 0.05 shows a significant difference.Conclusion: The Andrographis plant used in this study was confirmed to be Andrographis paniculata, enzymatic treatment increased andrographolide yield from the plant. Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, andrographolide, authentication, DNA barcodes, β-glucosidase

Giardia Infection in Recently Acclimatized Kalahari Red Goats in Nigeria

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in recently acquired and acclimatized Kalahari Red goats in Nigeria was determined using a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Giardia duodenalis coproantigens were detected in 46.9% of the faecal samples collected from 98 Kalahari Red goats. The highest (58.1%) and lowest rates (38.2%) were recorded in pre-weaned goat kids up to three months of age and adults goats over one year of age respectively. Infection was higher in females (56.8%) and diarrhoeic goats (75.0%) than males (38.9%) and non-diarrhoeic goats (45.7%) respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the infection rates among age categories, sexes and stool consistencies of the goats. The results of this study showed a high prevalence of Giardia infection in the Kalahari Red goat herd which may imply that they are susceptible to giardiasis if managed under conditions that may facilitate transmission from infected indigenous animals.Key words: ELISA, Giardia, goat, Kalahari Red, Nigeria