Multivariate geometric autoregressive and autoregressive moving average models

We present Autoregressive (AR) and autoregressive moving average (ARMA) processes with multivariate geometric (MG) distribution. The theory of positive dependence is used to show that in many cases, multivariate geometric autoregressive (MGAR) and multivariate autoregressive moving average (MGARMA) models consist of associated random variables. We also provide a special case of the multivariate geometric autoregressive model in which it is stationary and has multivariate geometric distribution

Epiphyseal plate closure of radio-ulna bone in red Sokoto goat ecotype

This study was conducted with 57 Red Sokoto goats, which were randomly obtained from three different small ruminant farms with birth record within Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. They were classified into different age groups and subgroups, from 1-144 weeks. The radiographs of their forearms were taken and the proximal and distal epiphyseal plate lengths of both radius and ulna bones were measured. The radiographic images of the bones showed that the proximal and distal epiphyseal plates of the radius were opened at week 1 with mean lengths of 0.50±0.05mm and 1.10±0.01mm respectively but fuses at week 8 and 36 respectively. The proximal ulna epiphyseal plate was opened at week 1, with mean length of 1.67±0.02mm and fused at week 144. However, the distal ulna epiphyses appeared radiolucent at week 1 and 2 and became radiopaque at week 3 with an epiphyseal plate mean length of 3.67±0.26mm which reduced chronologically and fused at 96 week. It was therefore concluded that in Red Sokoto goat, epiphyseal plate lengths decreases with increase in age and fuses at different age even within the same bone, and the epiphyseal plates of radius bones fuse earlier than the ulna bones.Keywords: Epiphyseal plate, Red Sokoto goat, Radiography, Radius, Uln

Autonomous ultrasonic based water level detection and control system

This paper presents an automated non-intrusive control system for monitoring the water level of domestic overhead and underground reservoir tank base on the property of wave reflection. The system consists of two HC-SR04 Ultrasonic transceivers that generate ultrasonic pulses and determines the depth of the water surface based on the total Time of Flight (TOF) of the reflected wave. An ATMEGA328 microcontroller was programmed to read the sensors, control the water level and display the corresponding volume of the water on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The experimental result proves the system stability both at turbulence and laminar flows. The proposed approach can be extended to monitor and control the volume and level of other valuable fluids such as diesel, kerosene etc.; as well as hazardous chemical where human interventions may be treacherous.Keywords: Ultrasonic, Transceiver, Time of flight, Liquid Crystal Displa

Estimates of Combining Ability and Gene Action in Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Water Stress and Non-stress Conditions

Combining ability and gene action for grain yield and other traits in maize were estimated under water stress and non-stress conditions at the Institute for Agricultural Research farms located at Samaru (11o11'N; 07o38'E) and Kadawa (11o39'N; 08o02'E) using North Carolina mating design II. Seven drought susceptible maize inbred lines used as females were crossed to six drought tolerant maize inbred lines used as males. The experiment was laid out using 7 x 8 simple lattice design with two replications under each condition at each location. Results of the combining ability analysis revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were responsible for the control of grain yield and other traits studied under water stress and non-stress conditions. However, the values of dominance genetic variance were greater than additive genetic variance for all traits which depicts the importance of non-additive gene action for controlling these traits. The low narrow sense heritability estimates also indicate the importance of non-additive gene action. The study showed that the female parents S1, S6 and S7 and the male parents P2, P7 and  P8 could be considered as good combiners for grain yield and other traits under the water stress and non-stress conditions. The crosses S1 x P2, S6 x P7 and S7 x P8 were the best among the hybrids for grain yield under water stress and non-stress conditions. Considering the dwindling amount of annual rainfall in the area where the study was carried out, these hybrids show potential for exploitation of grain yield and other desirable traits. Keywords: Combining ability, gene action, water stress, non-stress, heritabilit

Descriptive features of Lassa fever in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria - a retrospective review

Objective: Nigeria records it largest outbreak of Lassa fever in 2018, with 416 confirmed cases by 22nd April 2018 affecting 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This study determines the descriptive features of Lassa fever in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective study that encompasses all the suspected and confirmed cases of Lassa fever managed in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, between October 2016 and April 2018. Clinical notes of these patients were used to source information including sociodemographic features, clinical characteristics of the presenting illness, laboratory investigations results, working diagnosis, line of management, and treatment outcomes.Results: A total 127 suspected cases records were reviewed out of which 27(21%) were positive for Lassa fever Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test. Thirteen (48%) of the confirmed cases were males and fourteen (51.9%) females giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.08. their ages ranged from 1 to 60 years with a mean age of 27.5. Most cases were seen between October and April. Fever was the most common clinical presentation, occurring in 23 cases (85%) at presentation. Other clinical features were headache 20 cases (74%), bleeding 19 cases (70%), abdominal pain 14 cases (52%), Nausea/Vomiting 12 cases (44%), Diarrhoea 11 cases (41%), cough 11 cases (41%), encephalitis 9 cases (33%), Chest pain 8 cases (30%), Hypotension 7 cases (26%), Sore throat 5 cases (19%) and Facial and or Neck swelling 3 cases (11%). Mortality among the confirmed cases was (44.4%) with all deaths occurring within 72hours of presentation and had bleeding and or encephalitis as presenting symptoms.Conclusion: Lassa fever is relatively common in Bauchi state and affects people of all age groups and sexes. Late presentation, bleeding and encephalitis were common features among mortality cases.Keywords: Lassa Fever, clinical features, mortality, Nigeri

The efficacy of peanut oil and palm oil in preserving chicken eggs in a tropical environment

The study was undertaken to compare the effect of different  storage methods on external and internal quality of Isa Brown eggs obtained from Rufai Poultry Farms Bakura, Zamfara State. Ninety (90) eggs were collected from the Rufai farms sales office at Talata Mafara, Zamfara State. The eggs were divided into three groups (A, B and C) of 30 eggs each. The mean weight of the eggs in each of the groups was determined. Group A was left uncoated in a crate, while groups B and C were coated with peanut oil and palm oil respectively, and stored for four (4) weeks at room temperature. The egg shell, mean egg weight, egg yolk, egg white (albumen) and volume of each individual eggs were evaluated. The average percentage whole egg weight loss for all the groups showed significant difference (p<0.05) after preservation, with group A having the highest average percentage egg weight loss of 64.16±5.00%, although, group B had heavier weight compared to group A before preservation. Eggs coated with palm oil had better internal quality compared to peanut oil coated eggs and non-oil coated eggs, as it was seen to have intact internal content. A significant difference (P< 0.05) was also seen in the volume of group B and C with group C having the highest volume of 67.67±10.79ml. In conclusion this study showed that all palm oil coated eggs had good external and internal quality and longer shelf-life than non-oil coated and peanut coated eggs. It was therefore recommended that eggs should be preserved by coating with palm oil, so as to extend their shell-life.Keywords: Chicken egg, Egg Albumen, Egg Yolk, Palm oil, Peanut oil, Preservatio

The Role of Women in Nigerian Politics: Conceptual and Theoretical Issues for an Enhanced Political Participation in the Fourth Republic

This paper is an exploration of the role of women in the Nigerian politics. The inferiority complex of women regarding active political participation and representation constitute the bane of this study. However, it could be argued  it was argued that the inferiority nature of women generally was a function of chauvinistic nature of men to perpetuate their domination on them in all ramifications. This gender bias in Nigeria's political system is often traced to the advent of colonialism in Nigeria. Thus, the western cultural notion of colonialism woven around male superiority reflected in their relations with Nigerians. The authors adopted both conceptual and theoretical analysis of issues of political participation and representation to ascertain how women are generally dominated by men in the scheme of things. The most critical element of this discourse is however that women are, and have been sidelined in the political scheme of things in Nigeria and this state of affairs spells a dangerous omen for the Nigerian system which is now literally dominated and controlled by men. In the past, experience has shown, of course as demonstrated in the study, that women's political roles have contributed immensely in the shaping of the Nigerian politics not only in democratic governance; but also during the pre-colonial era. So, it will be unthinkable to wish away the critical efforts of women in the making of Nigerian state while arrogating political powers to the male folk. It is also unhealthy to ascribe political powers strictly to men in this era of globalization where the role of women in global politics is considered to be relevant in overall world peace, tranquility and mutual co-existence. In line with the above discovery, the authors recommend that there should be equality in the sharing of political offices on the basis of quota system between competing candidates. This will enable both men and women have equal chances of control in such public offices

Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Brevibacillus species and their potential to biodegrade polyethylene material

This study was conducted to screen for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Brevibacillus species from soil and investigate their ability to biodegrade low density polyethylene materials. The organisms were isolated using phenotypic characterization and molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR confirmed the presence of two different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and absence of Brevibacillus specie from the soil sample. The bacteria were inoculated in a nutrient broth to which 2% polyethylene was amended for a period of three weeks in a shaker incubator at 180rpm. Effect of temperature, pH and concentration of polyethylene on the biodegradation process was also studied. The initial and final dry weights of the polyethylene were recorded and the % degraded was calculated. It was found that both strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were capable of degrading the polyethylene. Strain C3 produced a maximum degradation of 20% at 37°C and pH 6. Strain B3 achieved a maximum degradation of 15% at 37°C at pH 6 and 7. In addition, it was found that both strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were able to survive up to 6% of polyethylene producing a maximum degradation of 55%. Therefore strains B3 and C3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be effective in biodegradation of polyethylene in dump sites if their potentials are well exploited

Androgenic profiles in HIV-infected male patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy: could this be a threat to fertility?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the Serum Androgenic Profiles of HIV-infected Male Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and those not on Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five HIV-infected male patients were evaluated in the Department of Medicine, Specialist Hospital Sokoto Nigeria from July 2017 to March 2018 using history, baseline investigations, and CD4counts. Free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured using an overnight fasting serum sample. Patients were divided into three groups (n=45); Group A= HIV-infected male patients on HAART, Group B = HIV-infected male treatment naive patients, and Group C= HIV-negative control subjects. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests and p≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: The serum testosterone and CD4 counts were reduced in HIV-infected male patients on HAART and HAART naive compared to the negative control. The reduced testicular functions were substantiated by raised serum LH and FSH in HIV-infected male patients on HAART (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control. Conclusions: HIV-infections associated with low CD4 counts even among patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy may pose threat to male fertility. Keywords: HIV-infected Males; Hypogonadisms; Sokoto Nigeri

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies of Sclerocarya birrea Peels Extract in Rats

Sclerocarya birrea fruits are widely eaten in developing countries especially in rural areas where they serve as nutritional supplements. However, they may also contain phyto-toxins which may affect the normal functioning of the body. Acute toxicity study was performed by a single oral administration of a dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight. Sub chronic toxicity evaluation was conducted by oral feeding of the rats with the peels extract daily at doses of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The results of acute toxicity show no mortality and general behaviour changes. The lethal dosage (LD50) was greater than 3000 mg/kg body weight. Rats fed with 1000, 2000 and 3000mg/kg body weight of the extract have higher body weights throughout the period of treatment but not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control group. Rats fed with 4000mg/kg body weight have significantly (p<0.05) lower body weight throughout the period of treatment. Significantly (p<0.05) higher serum total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, transaminases, creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrolytes were recorded in rats fed with 3000 to 4000 mg/kg body weight of the extract, suggesting liver and kidney toxicities. Therefore, the peels extract of S. birrea may be relatively toxic at doses of 3000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight. Further studies are required for isolation and characterization of the toxic compounds