Analiza kretanja rasta proizvodnje poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji (1961. –2014.)

This paper focuses on trend analysis of crop productivity growth in Nigeria between 1961 and 2014. It was therefore intended to estimate the effect of different factors of production that influence crop output and to compute their technical efficiency, technological change and total factor productivity change. Panel data was broken into land, labour, tractor, fertilizer and animal power. Descriptive statistics, Cobb-Douglas production analysis and Malmquist Productivity index were the tools employed for the analysis. The result of the trend analysis shows that time has a positive effect on crop production and also shows that there is an increase in crop output, land, labour, tractor, fertilizer and animal power over years. Land and animal power are statistically significant at 1% probability level and a unit increase in land and animal power, crop output increases by 2.176772 tons and 0.7531192 tons respectively, this implies that land and animal power have a positive effect on crop output in Nigeria. Labour and tractor have negative impact on crop output, while fertilizer has no significant effect on crop output. The efficiency change, technical change and total factor productivity change were also analyzed. According to the analysis, Nigeria experienced the highest agricultural productivity from 1992, with value of 1.166. It is therefore recommended that the use of agricultural land should be increased, relevant policies should address the constraints to technology progress, and efficiency should be promoted in order to improve productivity growth.Ovaj je rad usredotočen na analizu kretanja rasta proizvodnje poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji u razdoblju od 1961. do 2014. Cilj je ovog rada odrediti kako različiti faktori proizvodnje utječu na količinu proizvedenih kultura te izmjeriti njihovu tehničku učinkovitost, tehnološki razvoj i promjene u ukupnom faktoru produktivnosti. Panel podaci razdijeljeni su u sljedeće kategorije: zemljište, radna snaga, traktori, gnojivo i životinjska snaga (radne životinje). Za potrebe analize korištena je deskriptivna statistika, Cobb-Douglasova proizvodna funkcija i Malmquistov indeks produktivnosti. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da vrijeme ima pozitivan učinak na proizvodnju poljoprivrednih kultura te da je tijekom godina zamjetan porast u količini proizvedenih kultura, zemljištu, radnoj snazi, traktorima, gnojivu i životinjskoj snazi. Zemljište i životinjske snaga statistički su značajne kategorije, s razinom vjerojatnosti od 1 %. Porast jedinice zemljišta rezultira porastom od 2,176.772 tona u poljoprivrednim kulturama, a životinjske snage porastom od 0,7531192 tona u poljoprivrednim kulturama. Iz ovoga proizlazi da zemljište i životinjska snaga imaju pozitivan utjecaj na količinu proizvedenih poljoprivrednih kultura u Nigeriji. Kategorije radne snage i traktora imaju negativan učinak, a gnojiva nemaju nikakav značajni učinak na količinu proizvedenih poljoprivrednih kultura. Mjerena je i tehnička učinkovitost te tehnološki razvoj i promjene u ukupnom faktoru produktivnosti. Prema dobivenim rezultatima, poljoprivredna je proizvodnja u Nigeriji 1992. dosegla svoju najveću vrijednost od 1,166. S obzirom na rezultate preporučuje za povećanje poljoprivrednog zemljišta i učinkovitosti te donošenje relevantnih mjera čiji bi cilj bio rješavanje problematike razvoja tehnologije

Multinomial Logit Estimation of Income Sources by Watermelon Farmers in Northeastern Nigeria

The main objective of the research was to use multinomial logit model to estimate income sources of watermelon farmers in northeastern Nigeria. A total of 434 farmers were sampled through multi-stage sampling procedure covering three Local Government Areas of Yobe state, Nigeria. The sources were personal savings, friends and relatives, Bank loans and cooperative/thrift societies. The results revealed that farm size, age and level of education were significant at 5% probability level and positively influenced the utilization of income from friends and relatives. Farmers' level of education, total cost of production and farm size significantly influenced farmers to obtain loans from banks. The marginal effects were 0.0504, 2.75 and 0.0038 showing the degrees of probabilities the variables can influence bank loans. Watermelon farmers can only obtain loans from cooperative and thrift society based on their farm size, total revenue, age, total cost and their level of output. These variables were significant at 1% and 5% probability levels with appropriate signs. The study concluded that 60% of the farmers fund their farm through personal savings and was difficult to get bank loans. It was recommended that micro-savings be encouraged among farmers and cooperative/thrift societies should be encouraged and adequately developed through the Non-Governmental Organizations

Utjecaj klimatskih promjena na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, Nigerija

This study analyzes the effect of climate change on rice production in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study describes the trend in rice production and determines the factors affecting the output of rice in Adamawa. Secondary data from 1990-2015 was used. The analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, unit root and regression analysis. The result of the study reveals that there is variation in the trend of the climatic factors affecting rice production in Adamawa State. The findings reveal that rainfall and minimum temperature are the major climatic factors that affect the rice production; such that 1% increase in rainfall leads to 22.2% increase in rice production and 1% increase in minimum temperature leads to 3.7% reduction in rice production. Therefore rainfall is found to be positively significant to rice output, while minimum temperature is found to be negatively significant. The study therefore recommends that irrigation facilities should be built, especially in the north where drought threatens food production. Also breeders should develop rice varieties that have less gestation period and can survive high temperature.Ovaj se rad bavi utjecajem klimatskih promjena na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, Nigerija. Opisuju se trendovi rasta i pada proizvodnje te određuju faktori koji utječu na količinu proizvedene riže. Istraživanje se temelji na sekundarnim podacima iz razdoblja od 1990. do 2015. Za analizu su korištene sljedeće metode: deskriptivna analiza, test jediničnog korijena i regresijska analiza. Rezultati dobiveni istraživanjem pokazuju da klimatski faktori utječu na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, a kao glavni među njima ističu se količina padalina i minimalna temperatura: porast u količini padalina od 1 % rezultira porastom u proizvodnji riže od 22.2 %, a porast minimalne temperature od 1 % rezultira padom u proizvodnji riže od 3.7 %. Iz toga se može zaključiti da postoji pozitivna korelacija između količine padalina i količine proizvedene križe te negativna korelacija s obzirom na minimalnu temperaturu. S obzirom na dobivene rezultate preporučuje se izgradnja objekata za navodnjavanje, osobito na sjeveru gdje su sušna razdoblja prijetnja proizvodnji hrane. Također, uzgajivačima se preporuča razvoj vrsta riže koje imaju kraći gestacijski period te mogu preživjeti više temperature

Epidemiological profile of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Nigeria, July-September 2014

Introduction: In July 2014, Nigeria experienced an outbreak of Ebola virus disease following the introduction of the disease by an ill Liberian Traveler. The Government of Nigeria with the support of Technical and Development Partners responded quickly and effectively to contain the outbreak. The epidemiological profile of the outbreak that majorly affected two States in the country in terms of person, place and time characteristics of the cases identified is hereby described. Methods: Using field  investigation technique, all confirmed and probable cases were identified, line-listed and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007 by persons, time and place. Results: A total of 20 confirmed and probable cases; 16 in Lagos (including the index case from Liberia) and 4 in Port Harcourt were  identified. The mean age was 39.5 ± 12.4 years with over 40% within the age group 30-39 years. The most frequent exposure type was direct physical contact in 70% of all cases and 73% among health care workers. The total case-fatality was 40%; higher among healthcare workers (46%) compared with non-healthcare workers (22%). The epidemic curve initially shows a typical common source outbreak, followed by a propagated pattern. Conclusion: Investigation revealed the size and spread of the outbreak and provided information on the characteristics of persons, time and place. Enhanced surveillance measures, including contact tracing and follow-up proved very useful in early case detection and containment of the outbreak

Characteristics of fine and ultrafine aerosols in the London underground

\ua9 2022 The Authors. Underground railway systems are recognised spaces of increased personal pollution exposure. We studied the number-size distribution and physico-chemical characteristics of ultrafine (PM0.1), fine (PM0.1–2.5) and coarse (PM2.5–10) particles collected on a London underground platform. Particle number concentrations gradually increased throughout the day, with a maximum concentration between 18:00 h and 21:00 h (local time). There was a maximum decrease in mass for the PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and black carbon of 3.9, 4.5 and ~ 21-times, respectively, between operable (OpHrs) and non-operable (N-OpHrs) hours. Average PM10 (52 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (34 μg m−3) concentrations over the full data showed levels above the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. Respiratory deposition doses of particle number and mass concentrations were calculated and found to be two- and four-times higher during OpHrs compared with N-OpHrs, reflecting events such as train arrival/departure during OpHrs. Organic compounds were composed of aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be harmful to health. Specific ratios of PAHs were identified for underground transport that may reflect an interaction between PAHs and fine particles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) chemical maps of fine and ultrafine fractions show they are composed of Fe and O in the form of magnetite and nanosized mixtures of metals including Cr, Al, Ni and Mn. These findings, and the low air change rate (0.17 to 0.46 h−1), highlight the need to improve the ventilation conditions

Characteristics of fine and ultrafine aerosols in the London underground.

Underground railway systems are recognised spaces of increased personal pollution exposure. We studied the number-size distribution and physico-chemical characteristics of ultrafine (PM0.1), fine (PM0.1-2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) particles collected on a London underground platform. Particle number concentrations gradually increased throughout the day, with a maximum concentration between 18:00 h and 21:00 h (local time). There was a maximum decrease in mass for the PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and black carbon of 3.9, 4.5 and ~ 21-times, respectively, between operable (OpHrs) and non-operable (N-OpHrs) hours. Average PM10 (52 μg m-3) and PM2.5 (34 μg m-3) concentrations over the full data showed levels above the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. Respiratory deposition doses of particle number and mass concentrations were calculated and found to be two- and four-times higher during OpHrs compared with N-OpHrs, reflecting events such as train arrival/departure during OpHrs. Organic compounds were composed of aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be harmful to health. Specific ratios of PAHs were identified for underground transport that may reflect an interaction between PAHs and fine particles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) chemical maps of fine and ultrafine fractions show they are composed of Fe and O in the form of magnetite and nanosized mixtures of metals including Cr, Al, Ni and Mn. These findings, and the low air change rate (0.17 to 0.46 h-1), highlight the need to improve the ventilation conditions

Modeling for understanding of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) spread and design of an isolation room in a hospital

We have modeled the transmission of coronavirus 2019 in the isolation room of a patient suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. An adaptive mesh computational fluid dynamics model was used for simulation of three-dimensional spatial distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in the room. The modeling set-up is based on data collected in the room during the patient stay. Many numerical experiments have been carried out to provide an optimal design layout of the overall isolation room. Our focus has been on (1) the location of the air extractor and filtration rates, (2) the bed location of the patient, and (3) consideration of the health and safety of the staff working in the area

Ecthyma gangrenosum on the face of a malnourished child with Pseudomonas sepsis: Simulating Cancrum oris

Introduction: Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a cutaneous lesion commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that involves mainly the lower limbs and gluteal region, seen more in immunosuppressed patients with neutropenia. Cancrum oris (Noma) is a gangrenous necrosis of the face that begins as a gingival ulcer and progresses rapidly to destroy contiguous tissues in malnourished children. Case Presentation: This article reports a case of facial EG which was similar to Noma in a malnourished child: a 16-month old girl with fever, cough, weight loss, watery stool and swelling on right cheek. She was febrile, pale, wasted with bilateral pitting pedal oedema. She had a solitary circumscribed round necrotic lesion, with surrounding hyperaemia on the right malar area which extended to destroy the right ala nasi. No intra-oral rashes but she had left ear discharge. She received blood transfusion, antibiotics, antiseptic wound care and nutritional rehabilitation. Management and Outcome: Swabs of the lesion and ear discharge both revealed Gram-negative bacilli and culture yielded P. aeruginosa. Retroviral, Mantoux and Gene Xpert tests were negative. She had moderate anaemia, normal white blood cell count, and neutropaenia. Parenteral ceftriazone was changed to ciprofloxacin based on sensitivity results and lack of clinical response. The wound healed with residual scarring and partial destruction of right ala nasi. Discussion: Although this patient had facial necrosis to suggest Noma, she did not have initial oral involvement, and clinical features such as Pseudomonas sepsis and neutropaenia suggested EG. Facial necrosis in malnourished children may be due to EG

Assessment of health service delivery parameters in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria

Background In 2013, the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health established a Master Health Facility List (MHFL) as recommended by WHO. Since then, some health facilities (HFs) have ceased functioning and new facilities were established. We updated the MHFL and assessed service delivery parameters in the Malaria Frontline Project implementing areas in Kano and Zamfara States. Methods We assessed all HFs in each of the 34 project local government areas (LGAs) between July and September 2017. Project staff administered a semi-structured questionnaire developed for this assessment to heads of HFs about the type of facility, category and number of staff working at the facility and to record geo-coordinates of facility. Results In the Kano State project area, 726 HFs were identified and geo-located: 31 were new facilities, 608 (84%), 116 (16%) and two (0.3%) were Primary Health Care (PHC), secondary and tertiary facilities respectively. Using the national definition, there were 710 (98%) functional facilities and 644 (91%) of these reported to the national health information platform, District Health Information System, version 2 (DHIS2). The Zamfara project area had 739 HFs: eight were new, 715 (97%), 22 (3.0%) and two (0.2%) PHCs, secondary and tertiary facilities respectively. There were 695 (94%) functional facilities with 656 (94%) of these reporting to DHIS2. Using national criteria for primary health care designation, only 95 (9%) of all PHCs in the two States met the minimum human resource requirements. Conclusion Most HFs were functional and reported to DHIS2. A comprehensive MHFL having all the important parameters that should be established and updated regularly by authorities to make it more useful for health services administration and management. Most functional facilities are understaffed

NeuroGrid: recording action potentials from the surface of the brain.

Recording from neural networks at the resolution of action potentials is critical for understanding how information is processed in the brain. Here, we address this challenge by developing an organic material-based, ultraconformable, biocompatible and scalable neural interface array (the 'NeuroGrid') that can record both local field potentials(LFPs) and action potentials from superficial cortical neurons without penetrating the brain surface. Spikes with features of interneurons and pyramidal cells were simultaneously acquired by multiple neighboring electrodes of the NeuroGrid, allowing for the isolation of putative single neurons in rats. Spiking activity demonstrated consistent phase modulation by ongoing brain oscillations and was stable in recordings exceeding 1 week's duration. We also recorded LFP-modulated spiking activity intraoperatively in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. The NeuroGrid constitutes an effective method for large-scale, stable recording of neuronal spikes in concert with local population synaptic activity, enhancing comprehension of neural processes across spatiotemporal scales and potentially facilitating diagnosis and therapy for brain disorders