Automatic Recognition of African Bust using Modified Principal Component Analysis (MPCA)

This study identified and analysed the pattern recognition features of African bust. It also developed and evaluated a Modified Principal Component Analysis (MPCA) for recognizing those features. This was with a view to providing information on the developed MPCA for a robust approach to recognition of African bust.The developed MPCA used varying number of eigenvectors in creating the bust space. The characteristics of the bust in terms of facial dimension, types of marks, structure of facial components such as the eye, mouth, chin etc were analysed for identification. The bust images were resized for proper reshaping and cropped to adjust their backgrounds using the Microsoft Office Picture Manager. The system code was developed and run on the Matrix Laboratory software (MatLab7.0).The use of varying values of eigenvectors has proven positive result as far as the system evaluation was concerned. For instance, a sensitivity test carried out revealed that thirteen out of seventeen bust’s images were recognized by selecting only vectors of highest eigenvalues while all the test images were recognized with the inclusion of some vectors of low energy level. That is, the modification made to the Conventional PCA (i.e. Eigenface Algorithm) gave rise an increment of about twenty five percent (25%) as far as recognizing the test images was concerned.The study concluded that the Modification made to the conventional PCA has shown very good performance as far as the parameters involved were concerned. The performance of the MPCA was justified by the identification of all the test images, that is, the MPCA proved more efficient than the Conventional PCA technique especially for the recognition of features of the African busts. Keywords: Eigenvectors, Bust recognition, Modified Principal Component Analysis Technique (MPCA), African Bust

Bootstrap Approach to Correlation Analysis of Two Mineral Components in a Geological Field

In this article we considered pairs bootstrap through a truncated geometric bootstrap method for stationary time series data. Construction of valid inferential procedures through the estimates of standard error, coefficient of variation and other measures of statistical precision such as bootstrap confidence interval were considered. The method was used to confirm the correlation between Silicon Oxide (SiO2) and Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3) from a geological data. A typical problem is that can these components exist together or they are mutually exclusive. We attempt to solve these problem through bootstrap approach to correlation analysis and show that pair bootstrap method through truncated geometric bootstrap method for stationary process revealed the correlation coefficient between Silicon oxide (SiO2) and Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) from the same geological field.  The computed measure of statistical precisions such as standard error, coefficient of variation and bootstrap-t confidence interval revealed the correlation analysis of the bivariate stochastic processes of SiO2 and Al2O3 components from the same geological field. The correlation analysis of the bivariate stochastic process of SiO2 and Al2O3 components through bootstrap method discussed in this paper revealed that the correlation coefficient are negative and bootstrap confidence intervals are negatively skewed for all bootstrap replicates. This implies that as one component increases, the other component decreases, which mean that the two components are mutually exclusive and the abundance of one mineral prevents the other in the same oil reservoir of the same geological field. Key words: Pair bootstrap, standard error, coefficient of variation, bootstrap-t confidence interval and correlation analysis

Nexus between Public Spaces and City Image: A Case Study of Akure, Nigeria

Public spaces connect one part of the city to the other. They are related to the physical elements of the city that shape the image. This study examined the nexus created by the relationship between the physical environment of public spaces and city image. The study noticed neglect which threatens the physical environment of public spaces and discourages users. The relationship assessment was based on the image of the physical and natural features of public spaces as perceived by the users. This study analyses the linkages between the uses and the physical environment in relation to public spaces to improve the city image of Akure, Nigeria and provides an insight into the user's perception of the totality of the physical environment in the context of legibility, imageability and perception to understand how the image of the city is formed. The study summarizes and interprets findings from the quantitative research approach using a structured questionnaire conducted with 384 respondents from the core, transitional and peripheral zones in Akure. The data obtained were subjected to single factor descriptive analysis, inferential analysis and hypothesis testing. The results showed there is a positive relationship between public spaces and city image. The study recommends that public spaces development must inculcate planning and control strategies and a holistic policy by managers of public spaces to improve the image of the city, effort should be geared towards creating an attractive space to attract visitors and investors through investment in public spaces

Appraisal of access to safe drinking water in southwest Nigeria

The importance of developing effective water supply services is universally recognised as a basis for improving the overall health of the population. This study ascertained the quality of water supplied by a water treatment scheme in southwest Nigeria. One hundred and twelve samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons. Tests on physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were conducted. Statistical analysis of variance was carried out on the results of the test. The effectiveness of the treatment processes on the parameters considered showed that the aeration, sedimentation and filtration processes were 70.13% effective in colour removal; sedimentation and filtration processes were 94.78% effective in turbidity removal; sedimentation and filtration process were 28.84% effective in the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and 9.88% effective in the removal of total solids (TS); the disinfection and filtration processes were 100% effective in bacterial and coliform removal. The treatment system was found to be 71.38% effective in pollutant removal

An Expertise-Oriented Evaluation of the Center for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria: Implications for Assessing and Improving the Federal Polytechnic System in Nigeria

An on-campus evaluative study was conducted at Federal Polytechnic’s Center for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. One of the evaluation objectives was to conduct an intensive on-site program review. Both quantitative and qualitative program-related data were assessed and a process evaluation was conducted. The aquaculture skills enterprise area was in highest demand by full-time students in both diploma programs, while soap making was in highest demand by part-time students. Data revealed that students scored highest on their final exam in the fourth-year skills training course (Practical Skills Training) and lowest in the first year theory course (Introduction to Entrepreneurship). Federal Polytechnic offers a National Diploma and a Higher National Diploma program. The Entrepreneurship Education program offered by the Center is core requirement of every student regardless of major. Students enroll in a theory course followed by a skills acquisition or laboratory course each academic year. Skills acquisition courses are offered in 15 small-business enterprise areas. A number of themes emerged from the qualitative data regarding the curriculum and program management and operations. The authors conclude with a process-based critique of the program review, with implications for future reviews in the Federal Polytechnic system. The Entrepreneurship Education program is in its fourth year and is considered a flagship program by national experts in Nigeri

Exploration of the Chemistry and Biological Properties of Pyrimidine as a Privilege Pharmacophore in Therapeutics

The pyrimidine moiety is one of the most widespread heterocycles in biologically occurring compounds, such as nucleic acids components (uracil, thymine and cytosine) and vitamin B1. Due to its prebiotic nature to living cells in biodiversity, it is an highly privileged motif for the development of molecules of biological and pharmaceutical interest. This present work deals with the exploration of chemistry and medicinal diversity of pyrimidine which might pave way to long await discovery in therapeutic medicine for future drug design

Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

Diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between animals and humans are of major concern worldwide. Geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) are known to be potential reservoirs of many zoonotic enteropathogens. This study was designed to isolate, identify, and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enterobacteriaceae from Geckos. Using standard microbiological procedures, bacteria were isolated from 138 intestinal samples of Hemidactylus frenatus collected from different sampling sites. A total of 20 bacterial species of 9 different genera were identified using automated Colorimetry VITEK 2 system. The percentage occurrences were Enterobacter aerogenes (35%), Proteus mirabilis (15%), Salmonella ser paratyphi B (10%), Serratia fonticola (10%), Enterobacter kobei (10%), Raoultella ornithinolytica (5%), Sphingomonas paucimobilis (5%), Acinetobacter baumannii, (5%) and Burkholderia cepacia (5%). Results obtained from the antibiotic susceptibility pattern according to CLSI guidelines revealed that all the 20 bacterial species have varying rate of resistance with 20 (100%) showing resistance to Ciprofloxacin (CPX), 20 (100%) Pefloxacin (PEF), 19 (95%), Augmentin (AU), 11 (55%) Cotrimoxazole (CXT), 10 (50%) Streptomycin (S), 9 (45%) Chloramphenicol (CH), 6 (30%) Gentamycin (CN), 3 (15%) Ofloxacin (OFX). This study revealed that Enterobacteriaceae in the intestine of Geckos are multidrug resistant and are potentially harmful when in contact directly or indirectly with humans. It becomes important to educate people on the importance of personal hygiene in order to eradicate Geckos from our environment

Abatement of Polluting Effects of Waste Dump Leachates using Different Coagulants

This study assessed the effectiveness of different coagulants for treating leachates before their release into the environment Three inorganic coagulants ferric chloride ferrous sulphate and alum and one organic coagulant Moringer Oleifera seed MOS were used in a jar test to determine the optimum pH and dosage for the coagulants Raw and treated leachates were analysed for physiochemical parameters such as pH chemical oxygen demand Total solids Pb and Cr The optimum pH for ferric chloride ferrous sulphate alum and MOS was 7 7 6 and 10 respectively While the optimum dosage for each coagulant was 3g L 3g L 5g L and 5g L respectively The analysis of the raw leachate sample showed that it was highly polluted Dry season COD 3000mg L TSS 2369mg L Cr 0 075mg L Pb 0 25mg L and Mn 0 29mg L Wet season COD 3000mg L TSS 2369mg L Cr 0 075mg L Pb 0 25mg L and Mn 0 29mg L Coagulants removal efficiency RE for COD ranges from 12 to 41 with ferric chloride having the highest removal efficiency All the coagulants were efficient in reducing the level of heavy metals in the sample leachate The RE ranges from 55 to 95 6 with MOS having the highest RE of 95 6 for lead The coagulants showed significant difference at P 0 05 in their RE for some of the parameters treated The inorganic coagulants ferric chloride ferrous sulphate and alum showed no significant difference P 0 05 in the removal of COD while the organic coagulant MOS was significantly different at P 0 05 from the inorganic coagulants Over all Alum showed to be a better coagulant than other coagulants in reducing the physiochemical parameters of leachates while MOS is a suitable substitute for alum It was also observed that there was no significance P 0 05 in the removal efficiency of the coagulants in both dry and wet seasons Seasonality has no effect on the effectiveness of the coagulant

Effects of lipid-lowering agents on plasma lipid profile and apolipoprotein B in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) accounts for about 90% of all cases of Diabetes Mellitus. Dyslipidaemia has been demonstrated to form a synergy with T2DM as risk factors for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the plasma levels of Lipids and Apolipoprotein B-100 among Type 2 Diabetic patients, assess the effects of Lipid Lowering agents, and to study the relationship, if any, between these lipid parameters and glycemic control.Methods: One hundred and fifty participants consisting of fifty T2DM patients on a lipid-lowering agent, fifty newly diagnosed T2DM patients who are drug naïve (not on any anti-diabetic agent) and fifty apparently healthy non-diabetic controls were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples were collected from all study participants for determination of Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, Triglycerides(TG), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) and Apo B-100. Results: The results showed significant increases in plasma TC, LDL-C, TG and Apo B-100 with a remarkable reduction in plasma HDL-C level in the Type 2 Diabetic drug naïve group compared with the treatment and control groups. There was a significant positive  correlation observed between serum Apo B-100 and level of glycaemia in the T2DM drug naïve group.Conclusion: This study further confirms the therapeutic benefits of lipid-lowering agents in reducing Apo B-100 among T2DM patients. Furthermore, maintaining good glycaemic control reduces the risk for the development of dyslipidaemia. Keywords: T2DM, Dyslipidaemia, Cardiovascular Diseases, Apolipoprotein B-100, Nigeria