Chaotic assessment of the key performance indicators for a GSM Network congestion in an election period in Nigeria

This paper investigates the chaos-based assessment of the Key performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Cellular network congestion during and after 2011 People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election in Eagle Square within Abuja and its environs. Chaotic quantifiers such as average mutual information, Lyapunov exponents and specific attenuation were employed to study the congestion rate or dynamical state of the network. The chaotic assessment of the Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA) data services provided by MTN network using KPIs are reported. The data retrieved from the three Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) were used to analyse the performance of the network. The results revealed the state of dynamical behaviour of the congestion during the study period. Keywords: Key performance Indicators (KPIs); Wideband Code Division Multiplexing Access (WCDMA); Global System of Mobile communication (GSM); Base Transceiver Station (BTS); Chaotic Quantifier

Detection of antibodies to avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease viruses in wild birds in three states of Nigeria

This study aimed at determining the possible exposure of wild birds to avian influenza (AI), infectious bronchitis (IB) and Newcastle disease (ND) viruses. Apparently healthy species of free flying wild birds were captured using locally-made baited traps set at strategic watering and feeding locations and in poultry farms. Few species of captive wild birds in households and live bird markets (LBMs) were also sampled. Sera from blood samples collected were analyzed for antibodies to AI, IB and ND viruses using enzyme linked immunorsorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 209 sera analysed, Bubulcus ibis was 24%, 70% and 27% while Psittacus erithacus was 7%, 21% and 7% positive for antibodies to AI, IB and ND viruses, respectively. Branta canadensis, was 35% and 64% positive for antibodies to AI and IB viruses. Balearica regulorum and Numidia maleagris were 100% and 9% positive to AI virus antibodies. Free flying birds were 19 (15%), 57 (45%) and 27 (21%) positive while captive wild birds were 11%, 20% and 14% positive to AI, IB and ND viruses antibodies, respectively. The results of this study confirm that wild birds were exposed to AI, IB and ND viruses. There was co-exposure of some wild bird species to AI, IB and ND viruses. These birds could possibly serve as carriers and disseminators of AI, IB and ND to poultry. Therefore, control measures against these important poultry diseases should include incursion of wild birds.Keywords: Avian influenza, Infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, Nigeria, Wild bird

Efficacy trial of three pour-on acaricides on external parasites of cattle in Zaria, Nigeria

External parasites cause adverse effects on livestock production globally. In a study to determine the efficacy of three acaricides, fifteen pastoralist herds were randomly selected. Each herd had a group with eight cattle and three other groups with four. All animals were screened for external parasites pre-acaricide application. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were assigned to 1% Fipronil (Topline®), 0.5% Ivermectin and 5% Cypermethrin, respectively. Group 4 animals were untreated control. Observation of earmarked animals was twice weekly for seven weeks. Results showed that Musca domestica and Stomoxys sp died instantly and were repelled from herds for four weeks. No new tick attachment on experimental animals four weeks post application. Ticks were absent in Group 1 six weeks post application. Lice died 3 days post application in all experimental groups, while the animal with demodecocis in Group 1 had regression of lesions week 2 post application. Hair re-growth was observed in affected animals by week 4. Only a meager regression of demodecocislessions was observed in animals in other groups. The study demonstrated that the three acaricides had both therapeutic and prophylactic effects on external parasites, but Fipronil (Topline®) had longer prophylactic and better curative effects than the other two acaricides. It is, therefore, recommended that Fipronil (Topline®) should be reliably used for the control of external parasite in cattle because of its broader spectrum of activity and longer lasting effect.Keywords: Efficacy; Topline®; external parasites, Nigeri