Inflation Hedging Abilities of Residential Properties in Selected areas of Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

For long, investors perceived returns on real estate investments as a hedge against inflation; recently, while various empirical studies undertaken in some countries have produced varying results. In this study, the inflation hedging capacities of returns on residential property investments between the year 2002 and 2014 in selected areas in metropolitan Ibadan, Nigeria were empirically examined to ascertain the uncertain inflation hedging abilities in the areas. The study employed the Ordinary Least Squares regression model to regress the rates of returns of the considered residential property investments against actual, expected and unexpected inflation. The inflation hedging capacities of real estate investments were found to vary across geographical sub-markets and return components. Residential properties did not hedge against actual inflation in all the considered areas. However, with regards to expected inflation, the capital and total returns of residential properties in Akobo sub-market completely hedged; while for Bodija estate, it was the income and total returns that hedged against inflation completely and partially respectively. The study therefore recommends that in determining the real estate investments and the geographic locations to integrate in residential property portfolio, property investors should concentrate more in the mentioned geographical areas where residential property investments have shown to be hedging against inflation.Keywords: Ibadan, Inflation hedging capacity, Investments, Residential propertie

Role of Women in Farm and Family Decision Making Process in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Women are key players in the agricultural sector of most developing countries like Nigeria. But, despite their well recognized roles, men have continued to dominate both farm and non-farm decision making process. This study investigated the role of women in farm and family decision making process in Udi L.G.A of Enugu State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in collecting primary data from 120 respondents with the aid of a questionnaire and interview schedule. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used in data analysis. Result showed that women influenced decisions on the following farming activities: sowing/planting, fertilizer applications, marketing of farm products among others. They also took part in non-agricultural farming decisions such as marriage issues, domestic activities, family medical and health issues among others. The result of multiple regression analysis showed a high value of  R2 of 78.1% which indicates that about 78.1% change in participation of women farmers in farm and family decision-making was caused by changes in the socio-economic characteristics of the women farmers. The null hypothesis was rejected at 5% level of significance. This shows that the socio-economic characteristics of the women farmers influenced significantly their participation in decision making. The result of factor analysis identified institutional, socio-cultural and financial constraints as hindrances to women full participation in farm and non-farm decision making. It was concluded that empowering women through direct involvement in development and implementation of agricultural policies and projects can enhance their decision-making ability. Necessary recommendations such as legislative changes, formation of functional women groups and reform of land tenure system in favour of women were made among others. Keywords: Agriculture, Women, Role, Farm, Family, Decision Making, Enugu State, Nigeria

Shopping Mall Patronage: A Review of Predictive Factors

Given the increasing popularity of shopping malls globally, it is vital for would-be investors and their consultants (bankers, estate surveyors and valuers, among others) to examine the critical variables for the feasibility and viability of such an investment. Taking this into consideration, a systematic review of prior studies on shopping malls was conducted with the aim of highlighting the factors predicting patronage. To accomplish this aim, the researchers reviewed papers published within a ten-year period. According to the summary, research on shopping malls has gotten a lot of attention, especially in developing countries. The study also discovered that, in both developed and developing countries, income, location, accessibility, and price are the most important factors influencing mall patronage. In conclusion, shopping mall stakeholders should consider using the fifteen variables highlighted in this study as an investment guide

Farmers Adoption Scenarios for the Control of Cassava Mosaic Disease under the Cassava Enterprise Development Project in Enugu State, Nigeria

This study determined farmers’ adoption levels of the cassava varieties and value adding technologies introduced under the project. Data for the study were collected from 260 randomly selected respondents using interview schedule. Farmers’ adoption indices were used to summarize information on adoption levels, while exploratory factor analysis procedure using principal factor model with varimax rotation was used in grouping the major constraint factors to adoption. Results showed that farmers were still at the interest stage of the adoption of the cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistant varieties ( ̅=2.44), cassava processing innovations ( ̅=2.32), and improved marketing methods ( ̅=2.25). Farmers were at the evaluation stage in the adoption of agronomic practices ( ̅= 3.27) while, processors were at the evaluation stage in both processing and improved marketing innovations ( ̅= 3.43 and 3.12 respectively). However, they were at interest stage ( ̅= 2.84) in the adoption of the value adding technologies. Public and private extension agencies should therefore be encouraged to continue the extension service delivery of the CEDP innovations for greater proportion of cassava farmers to adopt the new varieties for sustainable production of cassava in the country.Keywords: Improved cassava variety, Cassava mosaic disease, Cassava enterprise development projec

Molecular genotyping of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) accessions using microsatellites

The experiment was conducted to ascertain the level of genetic diversity in sweet potato accessions using microsatellites. Thirty sweet potato accessions obtained from the International Potato Center (CIP), Kumasi, Ghana, Mozambique, and local germplasm of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, as well as sweet potato vines from local farmers' fields in Jos, Plateau State, and Bauchi State, Nigeria, were analyzed for genetic diversity using five microsatellite markers. The results showed that the polymorphic SSR loci revealed diverse relationship among the sweet potato cultivars, which was grouped into four major clusters by unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA) method. Cluster analysis showed a Jaccard co-efficient ranging from 0.0 to 3.0 indicating high genetic diversity. The primers detected a total of 18 alleles and the number of alleles per locus was 4 for IBR-19, IBR-286, IBR-297 and 3 for IBR-16 and IBR-242 with an average of 3.67 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of the markers varied from 0.35 to 0.72 with an average of 0.497. Marker IBR-19 revealed the highest PIC of 0.72, while marker IBR-297 had the lowest PIC of 0.35. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.32 to 0.89 with a mean of 0.675 across the five SSR loci. The results from the Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) which was used to quantify the diversity level and genetic relationship among the thirty sweet potato accessions indicated that a high diversity was mostly distributed within the populations for sweet potato accessions (75.12%) and (15.67%) among the populations

Effect of Aqueous Fruit Extract of Cucumis Sativus on Some Biochemical Parameters in Streptozotocin Induced-Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is among the major global public health problems and its prevalence is currently increasing at an alarming rate. The research was carried out to evaluate the effect of aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis sativus on blood glucose, total protein, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), urea, creatinine levels as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and HCO3-) levels on normal and streptozotocin induced-diabetic rat. The aqueous fruit extract was administered orally at a dose of 400mg/kg body weight to both normal and streptozotocin induced-diabetic rat. Twenty adult male rats were divided into four groups of five rats each, two groups were made diabetic and the other two groups were non-diabetic. One of the diabetic groups were administered with the aqueous fruit extract and the second served as diabetic control. The streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneal at a dose of 55mg/kg per body weight. The administration of the aqueous fruit extract lasted for 28 days. Effect of aqueous fruit extract on blood glucose, total protein, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes (Na+, Cl- and HCO3-) levels were analysed. The toxic effect of the aqueous fruit extract was determined using biochemical enzymes markers. The photochemical screening of the aqueous fruit extract showed the presences of Alkaloids, Balsam, Cyanogenic glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Resins and Carbohydrate. Administration with the fruit extract showed significant (P<0.05) reduction on the serum blood glucose level and other biochemical parameters analyzed. The extract possesses no toxic effect as indicated by lowered AST and ALP levels and may be used for the management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Cucumis sativus, Phytochemicals, Diabetic Mellitus, Liver enzymes, hypoglycemic activity. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR12-2-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

Enhanced Recovery of Nonextractable Benzo[a]pyrene Residues in Contrasting Soils Using Exhaustive Methanolic and Nonmethanolic Alkaline Treatments

The fate, impacts, and significance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) nonextractable residues (NERs) in soils remain largely unexplored in risk-based contaminated land management. In this study, seven different methanolic and nonmethanolic alkaline treatments, and the conventional methanolic saponification, were used to extract benzo[ a]pyrene (B[ a]P) NERs that had been aged for 180 d from four contrasting soils. Up to 16% and 55% of the amount of B[ a]P spiked (50 mg/kg) into soils was nonextractable after 2 d and 180 of aging, respectively, indicating rapid and progressive B[ a]P sequestration in soils over time. The recovery of B[ a]P from soils after 180 d of aging was increased by up to 48% by the seven different alkaline extractions, although the extraction efficiencies of the different alkaline treatments did not differ significantly ( p > 0.05). Approximately 40% of B[ a]P NERs in the sandy-clay-loam organic matter-rich soil was recovered by the exhaustive alkaline extractions after 180 d of aging, compared to only 10% using conventional methanolic saponification. However, the amounts of B[ a]P NERs recovered depend on soil properties and the amounts of NERs in soils. A significant correlation ( R2 = 0.69, p < 0.001) was also observed between the amounts of B[ a]P recovered by each of the seven alkaline extractions in the contrasting soils and corresponding NERs at 180 d of aging, indicating a potential association warranting further investigations. Extraction techniques that estimate the amounts of PAH NERs recoverable in soil can help give a better understanding of the fate of NERs in soil

Aspergillus species colonization of termite-damaged peanuts in parts of West Africa and its control prospects

A survey of farmers' peanut fields in Benin showed that Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries infection was influenced by Microtermes (Isoptera: Termitidae) damage. Field trials conducted at the ICRISAT station and a farmer's plot in Mali on termite damage and Aspergillus spp. infection showed that peanut plots treated with carbofuran at planting and supplemented with chlorpyrifos at 40 days after planting (dap), or treated with only chlorpyrifos at 40 dap, significantly reduced pod damage by the termite M. lepidus Sjostedt. and colonization by A. flavus. The cultivar ICG 10946 which had significantly more A. flavus (P < 0.05) also had a higher percentage of damaged pods compared with tlle other cultivars at the on-station trials. The least infected cultivar in all the trials was 47-16 which also had a comparatively lower percentage of termite-damaged pods, although this was not Significant. However, termite damage was correlated with A. flavus percentage colonizatio

Autism spectrum disorder in a community-based sample with neurodevelopmental problems in Lagos, Nigeria

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a globally prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder for which early diagnosis and intervention is the mainstay of management. In the African continent, limited data is available regarding the non-clinic based samples. Lack of information available to caregivers and inadequate skilled manpower often limit early detection and access to the few available though under resourced services in the community. Community based screening can be an important drive to create awareness and improve information dissemination regarding services available for those living with this disorder. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing data obtained from participants of a community-based autism screening exercise. The surveillance exercise was part of the annual Orange Ribbon initiative for autism awareness and screening held in 2014. Data was obtained from 85 participants involved in the Autism Surveillance screening exercise within the Lagos community. Community public service radio announcements state wide and word of mouth were used to invite and enroll eligible participants to the screening and consultation exercise. A second stage screening and a brief sociodemographic questionnaire followed by a third stage clinical interview and evaluation using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5 Edition (DSM 5) were used. Appropriate consultation and referrals to services in the community were given. Participants had a mean age of 7.53 years (SD 4.35). Twenty-nine (34.5%) met the diagnosis of ASD. Other diagnosis included attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), language and speech disorder, intellectual disability (8.3%) and learning disorders (9.5%). Main health concerns to caregivers were poor language development in all (100%), of which 11 (40.7%) were non-verbal; gaze avoidance was seen in 14 (48.3%) and challenging behavior in 12 (42.9%). Comorbidities included seizure disorders (3.4%) and ADHD (6.9%). Persons with autism had history of ASD behavior more often when compared to the other neurodevelopmental disorders and these findings were statistically significant. Referrals were given to caregivers to engage in services within the community. As seen in this study, community understanding of ASD is poor in such locations, in which many persons with other neurodevelopmental disorders are often presented as having autism. Caregivers in the study location are distressed by many symptoms associated with autism and their comorbid conditions. Currently there is an evident role for frequent large scale community based screening and autism awareness exercises possibly using inter-sectoral collaboration as a strategy.Yewande O. Oshodi, Andrew T. Olagunju, Motunrayo. A. Oyelohunnu, Elizabeth A. Campbell, Charles S. Umeh, Olatunji F. Aina, Wellington Oyibo, Folusho E.A. Lesi, Joseph D. Adeyem