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LJUNG-BOX AUTOREGRESSIVE MODEL FOR THE RETURNS OF THREE NIGERIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES’ STOCKS
Get PDFANCHOR, MANSARD and STACO insurance companies’ return pattern in Nigeria were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS). The data for this study was got from the daily closing prices of the stocks of these companies between 2006 and 2018. The daily returns were computed and the analysis done using Time Series. Stationarity were detected when the plots of the return series were plotted. The Autocorrelation and Partial Autocorrelation plots were used to identify the models as well as the order of themodels for the three Insurance companies. The Autoregressive model of order two was fitted to the returns on ANCHOR and STACO stocks respectively. While MANSARD had Autoregressive model of order three fitted to it. The adequacy of the model was tested using Ljung-Box test by observing the residual plot. The results proved that the models suited the data. 
CATTLE TREADING EFFECTS ON SOIL PHYSICAL AND HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Get PDFFarmers face compaction problems due to its negative effect on soil structure, root development and water movement in soils. Hydraulic and physical soil properties are affected by compaction due to cattle treading. This research was carried out to study the effects of cattle treading on soil physical and hydraulic properties on a typical cattle farm in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria for two years. Treatments include within the paddock, a cattle trampled pathway and control. Soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, gravimetric moisture content and compaction characteristics were investigated using standard procedures. Hydraulicproperties such as hydraulic conductivity, sorptivity, steady state flow and macroscopic capillary length were investigated with the CSIRO disc permeameter. Data were analyzed using a One way Analysis of Variance and mean differences were found using the Duncan Multiple Range Test at 0.05 level of significance. Mean bulk density at the 20-30 cm depth within paddock, on the trampled and control were 1.85, 1.83 and 1.65 gcm-3 respectively. Sorptivity values for within paddock, trampled pathway and control were 2.0, 142 and 47.1cmhr-0.5 respectively. Hydraulic conductivity for paddock, trampled pathways and control were 4.9, 51.7 and 129.2 cmhr-1 respectively. Average steady state flow for control, trampled pathways and within paddock were 136.4, 123.9 and 5cmhr-1 respectively. Mean pore sizes for control, trampled pathway and within paddock were 0.51, 1.06 and 0.18 cm respectively. Paddocks should be designed on sloppy lands to facilitate easy flow of waste into drainage systems and paddock floors should be sandy to facilitate infiltration. 
USE OF FISH POND EFFLUENT AS SOIL AMENDMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS (FLUTED PUMPKIN) IN ABRAKA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFThe study was conducted to evaluate the possible uses of fish pond effluent (FPE) as soil amendment in the production of fluted pumpkin in Abraka, Delta State. Land area measuring 26 x 15 m and plotted into 2.8 x 2.8 m were used for the study. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. The FPE was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 l/ha two weeks after sowing. Data were collected on number of leaves, leaf area and yield indices, also soil chemical properties were also analysed after harvest. The data were statistically anslysed with ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability was used to separate treatments means. Results of the study showed increase in the growth and yield indices evaluated with various level of treatment. Treatments rates at 250 and 300 l/ha were not significantly different except in number of leaves and fruit weight. Post-harvested soil chemical properties were influenced at highest rate of treatment. The FPE at the rate of 250 and 300 l/ha had better efficacy in all the growth and yield indices investigated and should be recommended in the study area for the production of fluted pumpkin
CORRELATION AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF SOME GROWTH AND YIELD CONTRIBUTING TRAITS IN COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L) WALP.) EXPOSED TO ALPHA-SPIN NANO PARTICLES
No full textA field experiment was conducted in the Research and Experimental Fields of the Botanical Garden of Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State to estimate correlation and path co-efficient analysis on growth and yield traits in cowpea exposed to alpha spin nanoparticles. Nine advanced cowpea lines sourced from Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria and one from Nasarawa State Agricultural Programme, Lafia, were sown in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications and evaluated for nine morphological and reproductive traits namely vine length, number of leaves, leave area, number of branches, number of pods perplant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant. Among the studied yield contributing traits, number of pod per plant (0.618), number of seed per pod (0.443), pod length (0.698),100 seed weight(0.818) and number of branches (0.403) showed significant correlation coefficient to yield per plant. 100 seed weight showed highest direct effect (p=0.850) to yield followed by number of seed per pod (p=0.807). The number of leaves showed highest indirect effect to yield through number of branches (p=0.147), followed by vine length through number of leaves (p=0.116).The first three Principal Components (PCs)accounted for 81.1% of the total variation implying their high selection stability. This character association study helps to know the contribution of the different characters to total yield; this information helps breeders to improve the yield directly or indirectly by improving yield contributing traits. 
PREVALENCE OF MULTIPLE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AMONGBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM WASTEWATER OF HOME-SITEDAQUACULTURE IN OGUN STATE, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA
Get PDF This study investigated the prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewaters of sixaquaculture farms from Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Igbo and Ago Iwoye towns of Ogun State, South-western Nigeria
SOUND EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE ON PERSONNEL IN BURR MILL PROCESSING CENTRES
Get PDFNoise pollution is almost everywhere in human day to day living; occupational noise exposure is a rampant problem facing different occupation with many not knowing the extent of damage that is been done to personnel working in a noisy environment. In Nigeria little is the research that has been carried out in area of noise pollution, recognizing this; this project was aimed at assessing and comparing the level of noise generated and its exposure effect on the personnel working in agro-processing center with emphasis on a burr mill processing center. Noise generated in the milling centers were read at different spatial location within Bodija Market that makes use of burr milling machine for particle size reduction of agro-based produce with Testo 815 sound level meter. The sound level read was compared to that specified by United State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), these standards were used because it has been adopted by Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Result shows that noise generated from dry milling operation varies from 89.9dBA-99.3dBA; on the average these levels exceeded the standards specified by the various regulating authorities. Burr mill operators are exposed to excessive occupational noise as showed by the sound level readings, which results into noise induced hearing loss NIHL as corroborated by the response of 26% of the respondents that reported high severity in loss of hearing and other non-auditory health implication which affects them. 
GRANULOMETRIC AND GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF AJALI SANDSTONE IN FUGAR AREA IN BENIN FLANK OF ANAMBRA BASIN, NIGERIA
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to carry out granulometric and geochemical assessment of Ajali Sandstone outcrops in Fugar area in Benin Flank of Anambra Basin, Nigeria using results from grain size, major oxide and trace elements analyses. The study area lies between longitudes 06o 35’ 04” E and 06o 35’ 56” E and latitudes 07o 05’ and 21” N 07o 05’ 52” N. Five samples were collected from the study area for the analyses. Automated sieve shaking machine and Epsilon-5 x-ray fluorescence pAnalytical model were used. The sediments are fine-grained to coarse-grained poorly sorted to very well sorted. The sediments are strongly fine skewed to strongly coarse skewed. The sedimentary structures and the bimodal distribution of the grain size parameters pointed to intertidal environment of deposition for the sediments. SiO2 has the average concentration of 81.78 wt. % with range of 81.6 – 82.0 wt. %. It is followed by Al2O3 with average concentration of 9.41 wt. %. Fe2O3 has average concentration of 5.61 wt. %. Zr has average concentration of 1,500 ppm followed by Ba with mean concentration values of 1,290 ppm. Cu has an average concentration of 280.5 ppm. Conversely, U, Th, Co, Ni, As, Au and Pb have low concentration in the analysed samples. The sandstone samples are highly ferruginised because of their high Fe2O3 contents. The presence of ferromagnesian trace elements such as Cr, V and Co enrichment and the high weight percentages of SiO2 in the sandstone samples indicated origin from source rocks such as granites and migmatites. The sandstones from the study area are suitable raw materials for construction because of the negligible contents and non-pollution level of the radioactive elements in them. 
DOSE RESPONSE OF AQUEOUS, METHANOLIC, AND LIME JUICE EXTRACTS OF COMBINED MORINGA OLEIFERA AND VERNONIA AMYGDALINA IN RABBITS
Get PDFOver the years, medicinal plants have been used not only as a source of food but also in the treatment of many diseases in various parts of the world. In Nigeria, Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina are some of the common plants whose parts have contributed to the increased intake of essential nutrients and healthpromoting phytochemicals. The lime, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of combined Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina was studies for their toxic effect and thus the LD50 was determined. It was seen that lime extract had the highest weight loss effect and also the highest mortality rate, however the LD50 valuesfor the three extracts of 900mg/kg, showed that the extracts had an acceptable LD50 values and thus its use in trado-medicine is left uncontested. 
Compa rative study of semen pa rameters between manual and sperm quality analyzer techniques among infertile patients in Kano, Nigeria
No full textSemen analysis is the primary step towards finding the influence of genital pathophysiology on the reproductive capacity of male, even then certain parameters might not be of any clinical significance. It is used to evaluate male fertility, comparing the results of semen analysis using manual method and automated sperm analyzer technique to have a better alternative to the traditional method. The study was a comparative study of 111 cases of semen analysis carried out at the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital Kano between the months of September to Number 2017. It was done by manual and automated method (using SQAII-P analyzer) according to WHOguideline 2010. The finding in this study observed that sperm count, sperm morphology result of manual method are significantly associated with sperm count, sperm morphology result of SQA technique with p-value (P=0.00216 and 0.0040 respectively). Sperm progressive motility results of SQA and manual method are not significantly associated with each other. Automated method of semen analysis is a quicker method for the assessment of male infertility, even though automated sperm analyzer only provides percent normal morphology results without quantifying specific abnormalities and lack of analyzing sperm with very low count. As such it is limited when compared with manual methodology where morphological defects can be identified and quantified even if the sperm count is low. Thus, automated sperm analyzer can be used interchangeably with manual semen analysis for examining sperm concentration, motility and morphology. 
ON MATHEMATICAL PROJECTION OF NIGERIA POPULATION USING NUMERICAL TECHNIQUES
No full textPopulation projection has been a good alternative to real population census in under-developing country like Nigeria. This study project twenty-five (25) years of Nigeria population between 2006 and 2031. We used Malthus model equation for the projection population using 2006 conducted Nigeria census as initial population. We employed two numerical techniques: Exponentially collocation approximation method and Differential Transformation method to solve Malthus model for the year under consideration. The projected Nigeria population for twenty-five (25) years obtained are in complete agreement with the analytical solutionof Malthus model