Generating Factor Variables for Asymmetry, Non-independence and Skew-symmetry Models in Square Contingency Tables using SAS

In this paper, a SAS program (macro) is written to generate factor and regression variables required for implementing asymmetry, non-independence, non-symmetry + independence models as well as skew-symmetry models in discussed in square a x a contingency tables having nominal or ordinal categories. While several authors have developed similar factor variables for use with GLIM, we have extended this to the non-independence and the non-symmetry+independence models. The former includes both the fixed and variable distance models as well as the quasi-ordinal symmetry model. Further, our implementation of the asymmetry model in terms of the required factor variable is different from those defined for implementation of same in GLIM. Most of the models described in this paper however assume ordinal categories for the contingency table. The SAS macro developed can be applied to any square table of dimension a. We apply the models discussed in this paper to the 5 x 5 Danish mobility data that have been widely analyzed in various literatures.

Estimation of Heavy Metals in Neem Tree Leaves along Katsina – Dutsinma – Funtua Highway in Katsina State of Nigeria

Widespread and growing use of medicinal plants has created public health challenges in terms of quality, safety and effectiveness. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), concentrations of Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr and Pb, , were determined in samples of neem tree (Azadirachta indica) leaves obtained from Katsina, Dutsinma, Kankara and Funtua along Katsina – Dutsinma – Funtua highway in Katsina state of Nigeria. The mean level of the metals in the various locations along the highway varied between Ni (1.14mg/Kg and 1.92mg/Kg); Zn (2.48mg/Kg and 6.08mg/Kg);Mn (2.67mg/Kg and 4.72mg/Kg); Cu (1.91mg/Kg and 2.99mg/Kg); Cr (0.17mg/Kg and 0.37mg/Kg) and Pb (0.77mg/Kg and 2.25mg/Kg). Samples from Katsina indicated the highest levels of Zn, Ni and Pb while samples from Funtua indicated the highest levels of Cu and Cr. However, the levels of all metals obtained from the samples from various locations along the highway were below the WHO/FDA permissible levels of heavy metals in herbal plants

Effect of Set Size and Fertilizer Types on Early Growth and Development of Plantain Suckers

Inspite of increase in demand for plantain and its products, its production still remain low as a result of unavailability of high quality suckers at the right time. In order to circumvent this problem, this present research was carried out to evaluate the effects of set sizes and organic growth medium on proliferation, growth and development of plantain suckers. The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. Three propagule sizes (S1, S2 and S3) and five nitrogen rates using compost (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha) were evaluated.  The emerged suckers were allowed to grow for a period of 12 weeks. During the growth period, data were collected on pseudo stem height and number of leaves and leaf length. At six weeks after fertilizer application, leaf samples were taken for dry matter assessment and leaf tissue nutrient content. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (P≤0.05) and Duncan multiple range test was used to separate the significant means. Corm sizes and compost application had significant effects on growth and development of the suckers’ response variables. Stem girth, pseudo stem height and number of leaves increased with the level of compost application. In addition, it was observed that corm size three (S3) gave the highest number of leaves and highest leaf tissue nutrient uptake even though it has the least value of stem girth and height. Application of 90 and 120 kg N/ha compost to corm size three (S3) gave the highest nutrient content that was not significantly different from each other. Planting of corm size three (S3) with application of 90 kg N/ha compost is therefore recommended for use by the local farmers. Keywords: corm, fertilizer, Nigeria, plantain

Assessment of commercialization of food crops among farming households in Southwestern, Nigeria

This study assessed the commercialization of food crops among farming household in Osun state by administering questionnaires to 99 food crop farmers. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, Household Commercialization Index (HCl) and Linear Regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results of field data analyses  revealed that food crops farmers carry out full commercialization in the study area with Household Commercialization Index at 51.7% and  about 54.6% of the respondent are at full commercialization. Also 79% of the respondents are male with 56% within the age range of 50 to 69 years and 53% having a household size between the range 4 to 7. However, the respondents travelled an average distance of 17.5km from farm to market. The study also revealed that usage of modern machinery and storage facilities, are some of the major determinants that contribute to the commercialization of food crops. With these, it is recommended that, farmers need to be provided with good storage facilities to ensure that food crops produced in excess quantities are stored in order to make it available throughout the year at an affordable prices. There is need to also sensitize the farmers on the benefits that can be derive from commercialization of food crops.  Key Words: Commercialization, Food crop, Agriculture, Regression, Nigeri

Comparative Studies of White and Red Allium cepa Cultivated in Sokoto, Nigeria

White and red Allium cepa were individually analysed quantitatively for proximate compositions and flavonoids % in dried grinded bulbs. All results were presented as mean + standard deviation of three replicates; white and red Allium cepa contained 89.62 + 0.83 and 88.48 + 0.03% moisture, 3.33 + 0.56 and 3.17 + 0.29% ash, 2.17 + 0.29 and 6.50 + 1.00% crude lipid, 3.22 + 0.07 and 3.02 + 0.29% crude protein, 3.83 + 0.29 and 2.83 + 0.29% crude fibre, 87.44 + 0.24 and 84.48 + 0.93% available carbohydrate, 382.11 and 408.5 kcal/100g energy value, as well as 64.0 + 0.93 and 61.20 + 0.24% flavonoids, respectively. Hence, this research justifiably proved that both species would provide flavouring, nutritional and medicinal importance. Thus, the white Allium cepa possessed a more nutritional and medicinal properties than the red but provides less energy and lower resistance to storage.Keywords: Allium cepa, Flavonoids, Proximate, Sokoto, Spice

Invasive bacterial infections in Gambians with sickle cell anaemia in an era of widespread Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination

Background: There is relatively little data on the aetiology of bacterial infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in West Africa, and no data from countries that have implemented conjugate vaccines against both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of SCA patients admitted to the Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia during a five-year period when there was high coverage of Hib and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. We evaluated 161 admissions of 126 patients between April 2010 and April 2015. Results: Pathogenic bacteria were identified in blood cultures from 11 of the 131 admissions that had cultures taken (8.4%, 95% CI 4.5-14.1%). The most frequent isolate was Salmonella Typhimurium (6/11; 54.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (2/11; 18.2%) and other enteric Gram-negative pathogens (2/11; 18.2%) and there was one case of H. influenzae non-type b bacteraemia (1/11; 9.1%). There were no episodes of bacteraemia caused by S. pneumoniae or Hib. Conclusions: The low prevalence of S. pneumoniae and Hib, and the predominance of non-typhoidal Salmonella as a cause of bacteraemia suggest the need to reconsider optimal antimicrobial prophylaxis and the empirical treatment regimens for patients with SCA

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of aspirin and paracetamolmetal complexes

Novel complexes of Co (11), Ni (11) and Fe (111) with aspirin and paracetamol have synthesized and characterized using infrared, electronic and Hnmr spectral, melting point and conductivity measurements. The two ligands have been found to act as bidentate chelating agents. Aspirin complexes coordinate through the carbonyl oxygen of the carboxyl and the ester groups, while paracetamol complexes coordinate through the oxygen of the hydroxyl and the amide groups. Antibacterial screening of the complexes against Bacillus substilis, Serratia species and Escherichia coli, was also investigated. The metal complexes were found to havevaried degree of inhibitory effect against the bacteria

Effect of Mobile Telecommunication Technologies on Globalization of Nigerian Rural Areas

The globalization of a country is today measured with respect to indices of globalization such as the Maastricht Globalization Index (MGI) and the Konjunkturforschungsstelle (KOF). These indices of national globalization often have an urban bias. This study however explores the extent to which these international measures include rural environments of the globalizing country. Application of the MGI/KOF indices for determination of the Nigerian rural environment inclusion in globalization showed that the country’s rural communities were mainly integrated technologically by virtue of telephony (communication technology) penetration of rural areas. An attempt to modify the MGI/KOF globalization indexes for rural inclusion showed that the Nigerian rural communities were technologically integrated but only partially integrated politically and socio-culturally. Based on this, it was recommended that a globalization index for rural inclusion needs to be developed to establish countrywide globalization in absolute terms

Climate Change Perspective and Adaptation Among Local Farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Perspectives of farmers on climate change and the strategy they employed in handling its impacts in five local governments of Sokoto state was studied. The study employed a Rapid Rural Appraisal technique to interview the farmers on key parameters such as awareness, mitigation and adaptation strategies and the sources of information on climate change. The study interviewed 300 farmers in each of the five local governments and concluded that while the respondents are aware of the climate change and its effects, the techniques employed for the mitigation of its effects are crude with adaptation strategies likely to be more effective. Keywords: Climate change; perception; adaptation; mitigation; strategy.