The effect of the interaction of various spawn grains with different culture medium on carpophore dry weights and stipe and pileus diameters of Lentinus squarrosulus

Lentinus squarrosulus, an indigenous mushroom specie commonly found growing on dead logs in the Zaria environ of Kaduna State was cultured on six different medium which were inoculated separately with three different spawn grains and amended with six different oils at five different rates. The interaction of spawn grains x culture medium had a highly significant effect on carpophore dry weight and stipe and pileus diameters of L. squarrosulus. The results reveal that the interaction of millet spawn x animal bedding and rice medium induced the widest stipe diameter while the interaction of corn spawn x animal bedding and rice medium induced the heaviest carpophore dry weight as well as the widest pileus diameter. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 615-619, 200

The effects of the interaction of various oil types and rates on the mycelial wet and dry weights of Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) Singer and Psathyrella atroumbonata Pegler in submerged liquid cultures

Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata, two edible indigenous mushroom species, were cultured in various different media supplemented with coconut, cotton, groundnut, butterfat, palm kernel and palm oil respectively, at 5 different rates. The interaction of the various oil types with different rates produced highly significant differences (

The effect of media, oil type and rate on the mycelia wet and dry weights of Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) singer and psathyrella patroumbonata pegler in submerged liquid culture

Lentinus squarrosulus and Psathyrella atroumbonata, two edible indigenous mushroom species, were cultured in four different submerged liquid media supplemented with coconut, cotton, groundnut, butterfat, palm kernel and palm oil at 5 different rates. The differences in the means due to the different media types were highly significant (

On the Efficiency of Financial Intermediation in Nigeria’s Growth Performance: A Two Stage Least Square Approach

We test the efficiency of financial intermediation in Nigeria’s economic growth performance using the Two Stage Least Square (TSLS) technique of regression analysis. Relying on a tripartite simultaneous equation regression model, the results show that financial intermediation process in Nigeria has been partly effective but sub-optimal. Evidence from the structural parameter estimates indicate that low savings coupled with poor credit support to the real sector attenuated the growth effect of financial intermediation in Nigeria. This is attributable to high interest spread, low per capita income, poor banking habit and high inflation, among others. It is recommended that the devices for improving financial intermediation and Nigeria’s growth performance are to set a positive and moderate interest rate, increase the volume of deposit, increase bank branches, increase income per capita and continue with liberalization

The Growth Implication of Trade Liberalization in West Africa

This study empirically investigates the growth implication of trade liberalization in twelve West African (WA) countries using time series data for the period of 1970-2011. Relying on a Vector error correction model (VECM), our result indicates that trade orientation (trade policy variable) investment rate and exports shocks have significant positive impact on growth in 8 out of 12 WA economies. This suggests that it is possible to stimulate economic growth in some African countries through an outward-looking strategy of export expansion. We, thus, conclude that WA economies can vigorously pursue trade liberalization in order to enhance their growth performance. The caveat is that this would require a refocusing of domestic production capacity to commodity lines that overlap those of the trading partners, especially those of the OECD nations, so as to be able to garner the benefits derivable from liberal trade policy

The Growth Implication of Trade Liberalization in West Africa

This study empirically investigates the growth implication of trade liberalization in twelve West African (WA) countries using time series data for the period of 1970-2011. Relying on a Vector error correction model (VECM), our result indicates that trade orientation (trade policy variable) investment rate and exports shocks have significant positive impact on growth in 8 out of 12 WA economies. This suggests that it is possible to stimulate economic growth in some African countries through an outward-looking strategy of export expansion. We, thus, conclude that WA economies can vigorously pursue trade liberalization in order to enhance their growth performance. The caveat is that this would require a refocusing of domestic production capacity to commodity lines that overlap those of the trading partners, especially those of the OECD nations, so as to be able to garner the benefits derivable from liberal trade policy

Diversity of Rotavirus VP7 and VP4 Genotypes in Northwestern Nigeria

Background. Nigeria has recently been ranked third among the 10 countries with the greatest number of rotavirus disease-associated deaths per year. Estimates attribute up to 33,000 deaths annually to rotavirus disease in Nigerian children <5 years old. Although the introduction of the new oral, live attenuated rotavirus vaccines may not occur for another 4-6 years in developing countries, background data on burden of disease, cost of rotavirus disease, and characterization of circulating strains is required to hasten this introduction to children who would clearly benefit from the intervention. Methods. Between July 2002 and July 2004, fecal specimens were collected from 869 infants and young children <5 years of age presenting with diarrhea in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states in northwestern Nigeria. In addition, 194 control specimens were also collected from children matched for age. Specimens were screened for the presence of rotavirus antigens. Rotavirus-positive specimens were further analyzed to determine electropherotype, subgroup specificity, and G and P genotypes. Results. Rotavirus was detected in 18% of children with diarrhea and 7.2% of the age-matched case control subjects. The highest rotavirus burden was detected in children aged <6 months. The majority of the rotaviruspositive specimens revealed viruses of long electropherotypes, subgroup II specificity, and G1P[8] genotypes. Furthermore, more than a quarter of specimens (37%) displayed mixed G and P genotypes, and almost a third could not be genotyped. Conclusions. The high numbers of mixed rotavirus infections highlight the multitude of enteric pathogens to which children in African countries are exposed. Data on circulating rotavirus strains serve to inform African government officials to the serious health threat posed by rotavirus in their respective countries and to document the diversity of strains before vaccine introductio

Political and Institutional Determinants of Fiscal Policy Persistence in West Africa

This study investigates the political economy of fiscal policy making in West Africa by relying on a two-fold estimation technique, namely – the Instrumental variable regression model which accounts for potential endogeneity issue in the data and the Generalized Least Square regression model. The analysis covered 14 West African countries and spans over the period 1980 to 2016. The key results are as follows. First, we find evidence that fiscal policy has been more persistence in the region. This suggests that the governments of West African economies are either unwilling or just unable to adequately implement counter-cyclical fiscal policy. Second, fiscal policymaking has generally been drivenby political and institutional factor rather than on the basis of sound economic considerations. And third, the core politico-institutional factors determining fiscal persistence include corruption, government effectiveness and rule of law

“Your drinking is my problem”: recording alcohol’s harm to others in Nigeria

The negative consequences of alcohol consumption on the drinker are well documented. Alcohol is the cause of many physical and mental health conditions and is associated with social problems affecting the drinker, the family and the society at-large. Nondrinkers also experience the impact of other people’s drinking though the extent of this experience is not well documented. This paper presents preliminary data from the WHO/Thai Health project on the harm to others from drinking. A sample of 16 health, security and social welfare agencies in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria was selected and a nominated key informant in each agency was approached for information using a qualitative interview schedule. The information sought from respondents included types of harms to others seen at the agency, the frequency of such cases, how information about the cases are recorded and handled, and whether regular records are kept at the agency on harm to others from alcohol. Findings show that few agencies collected data on harm to others from drinking but several reported seeing people affected by the drinking of others, with most cases reported by social welfare agencies. Almost all the agencies contacted expressed interest in collecting relevant data and being involved more in addressing the problem. The reported low levels of awareness and action on harm to others from drinking have potentially serious implications in a society with a rapidly growing rate of alcohol consumption.Key words: Alcohol, harm to others, Nigeria, drinking problem

A Survey of Gastrointestinal Helminthes of Local Chickens in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State

Rural Poultry as practiced by the rural population is both for consumption and for income generation during festive seasons. The practice of allowing the birds to scavenge for food in the neighbourhood exposes them to disease. This research was an active surveillance of worms which parasitize these rural birds using saturated the salt floatation method. Two hundred sterile samples of the faeces of 200 rural birds were collected randomly from 10 villages in Abak Local government Area. These were transported immediately for analysis in the laboratory using floatation method with saturated salt solution. Viewing with X10 microscope it was discovered that out of the 200 samples examined for helminthes, Ascaris gallinarium was found in 92 samples or (46%), Heterakis Spp was seen with 62 0r 31% positions, Capillaria Spp was 58 or 29% and Strongyles Spp was 46 or 23%. The least was Raillietina Spp which was found in only 22 (11%). This study to the best of my knowledge is the first attempt to research into the types of worm parasites found in local birds, though it has been conducted in other parts of Nigeria and the World over. It was concluded that there is a light prevalence of helminthes in Abak in rural birds, which will lead to high loses. This we advice for educate the rural community in better husbandry practice to preserve the rural poultry population