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The Efficiency of the Proposed Smoothing Method over the Classical Cubic Smoothing Spline Regression Model with Autocorrelated Residual
No full textAbstract: Spline smoothing is a technique used to filter out noise in time series observations when predicting nonparametric regression models. Its performance depends on the choice of the smoothing parameter. Most of the existing smoothing methods applied to time series data tend to overfit in the presence of autocorrelated errors. This study aims to determine the optimum performance value, goodness of fit and model overfitting properties of the proposed Smoothing Method (PSM), Generalized Maximum Likelihood (GML), Generalized Cross-Validation (GCV), and Unbiased Risk (UBR) smoothing parameter selection methods. A Monte Carlo experiment of 1,000 trials was carried out at three different sample sizes (20, 60, and 100) and three levels of autocorrelation (0.2, 05, and 0.8). The four smoothing methods' performances were estimated and compared using the Predictive Mean Squared Error (PMSE) criterion. The findings of the study revealed that: for a time series observation with autocorrelated errors, Adj. R2(PSM λ =0.04) provides the best-fit smoothing method for the model, the PSM does not over-fit data at all the autocorrelation levels considered (ρ = 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8); the optimum value of the PSM was at the weighted value of 0.04 when there is autocorrelation in the error term, PSM performed better than the GCV, GML, and UBR smoothing methods were considered at all-time series sizes (T = 20, 60 and 100). For the real-life data employed in the study, PSM proved to be the most efficient among the GCV, GML, PSM, and UBR smoothing methods compared. The study concluded that the PSM method provides the best fit as a smoothing method, works well at autocorrelation levels (ρ=0.2, 0.5, and 0.8), and does not over fit time-series observations. The study recommended that the proposed smoothing is appropriate for time series observations with autocorrelation in the error term and econometrics real-life data. This study can be applied to; non – parametric regression, non – parametric forecasting, spatial, survival, and econometrics observation
The Paradox of Population Growth in National Development. 41st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Abuja, Nigeria.
No full textThe 41st inaugural lecture of University of Abuja, Nigeria was delivered by Prof. Rhoda Mundi, Professor of Geography. The lecture focuses on the paradox of population growth in national development, drawing a lot from inaugural lecturer’s lifelong research and experiences. The lecture is divided into sections as follows: Introduction, Definition of terms and conceptual clarifications, History of world population growth, The debate on Population growth, Theories on population and development interrelations, Population growth in Nigeria, Reasons for high, population growth, Implication of Nigeria's high population growth, Population growth and development in Nigeria, Population Policies, and Challenges to Nigeria's Development efforts, Recommendations, The lecture conclusions that people are resources, creators and managers of wealth especially when developed through education, training and knowledge transfer and when healthy. Nigeria's large population is as asset however, the high population growth is likely to be detrimental in the short and medium term because of inadequate investment in it particularly through bad governance. If properly developed and kept healthy, the population in the longer run would result in demographic dividends as the expansive young people become productive adults. This is the paradox of population growth in National Development
Seroprevalence and Molecular Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Among School Children in Asokoro Village Abuja, Nigeria
No full textHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppresses host immunity and can therefore predispose to opportunistic and other infections, including HCV infection. HIV and HCV have emerged as one of the most formidable challenges to public health. Children in rural communities are exposed to the risk of these viral infections. This study aimed at
determining the seroprevalence of HCV and HIV Co-infection seroprevalence among school pupils in Asokoro village Abuja. A total of one hundred and twenty-four (124) whole
blood samples of children aged 1- 17 years were randomly collected across the community. Samples were screened using HIV Determine kit and one time HCV rapid test strip for HIV
and HCV respectively. Positive samples for HIV were further analysed using HIV Unigold test kit and HIV 1 and 2 stat pak test kit while HCV seropositivity was confirmed using
PCR. Results were computed statistically by percentage. Result shows that the seroprevalence of HIV among the children studied is 5% (6/124), while that of HCV is 14%
(18/124) among the study population. Co-infection of HIV/HCV was not observed among participants in the study population. The molecular characterization of HIVs4 sample
revealed that it is closely related to AF069943.1 HIV-1 isolate with 2,538 bp genomic DNA obtained in 1995 from a hospitalized individual from Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. The
molecular analysis revealed the presence of HCV C, genotype 1b. Children in the study area displayed a higher prevalence of HCV than HIV. This is a threat to public health as there
are scientific proofs that HCV can be transmitted through contact with infected body sweat.
HIV positive children are likely to be co-infected with HCV. There is urgent need to preventSelf Sponsore
Seroprevalence and Molecular Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Among School Children in Asokoro Village Abuja, Nigeria
No full textNilHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppresses host immunity and can therefore predispose to opportunistic and other infections, including HCV infection. HIV
and HCV have emerged as one of the most formidable challenges to public health. Children in rural communities are exposed to the risk of these viral infections. This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HCV and HIV Co-infection seroprevalence among school pupils in Asokoro village Abuja. A total of one hundred and twenty-four (124) whole blood samples of children aged 1- 17 years were randomly collected across the community. Samples were screened using HIV Determine kit and one time HCV rapid test strip for HIV and HCV respectively. Positive samples for HIV were further analysed using HIV Unigold test kit and HIV 1 and 2 stat pak test kit while HCV seropositivity was confirmed using PCR. Results were computed statistically by percentage. Result shows that the
seroprevalence of HIV among the children studied is 5% (6/124), while that of HCV is 14% (18/124) among the study population. Co-infection of HIV/HCV was not observed among participants in the study population. The molecular characterization of HIVs4 sample revealed that it is closely related to AF069943.1 HIV-1 isolate with 2,538 bp genomic DNA obtained in 1995 from a hospitalized individual from Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of HCV C, genotype 1b. Children in the study area displayed a higher prevalence of HCV than HIV. This is a threat to public health as there are scientific proofs that HCV can be transmitted through contact with infected body sweat. HIV positive children are likely to be co-infected with HCV. There is urgent need to prevent the risk of transmission to the non-infected individual by teaching HIV and HCV as part of health education in the schools around the vicinity and also by creating awareness of the impact of these diseases in the community.Self sponsore
Analysis and Determination of the Proliferative Biomarker Potential of Ki-67 in Cervical Lession/Cervical Cancer using Immunohistochemical Method.
No full textBackground: Cervical cancer is believed to be one of the most widespread cancers worldwide with the utmost burden prevalent among women in areas where resources are scarce. Methods: The study population was from 10 years retrospective archival tissue blocks of cervical cancer among women in Abuja metropolis from 2005 to 2015 Histopathological diagnosis by H and E was made, from the 80 cases examined 20(25%) Cases were cervicitis (CC), 15(18.8%) were cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINI), 15(18.8%) were cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2) while 30(37.3%) cases were squamous cell carcinoma SCC They were examined immunohistochemically by Avidin Biotin Complex (ABC) method. Ki67 (proliferation marker). Results: A statistically significant rate of positivity was found in the expression of Ki-67 among all the categories of the studied cases. Conclusion: This study showed that most of the immunological markers examined can be used for identification of different stases involved in cancer progression, also for diagnosis of cancer, predictive prognosis and can be explore as therapy targets for cervicitis and Squamous cell carcinoma.Self Sponsore
Studies on Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Malarial Infection and Pathogenic Microbiota in the Reproductive Tract of Pregnant Women in Orlu, Imo, State, Nigeria.
No full textBackground: Socioeconomic factors influence the vulnerability of women to infection with malaria and reproductive tract infections (RTI) either singly or in concomitance with one another. However, no studies have been carried out to examine independent associations between these factors and malaria and other pathogenic infections during pregnancy in the reproductive tract of women in the study area. Methods: After collecting their biodata, a trained health worker collects vaginal swabs from women taking part in the study by placing dry cotton sticks in their vaginal canal for a few seconds. These swabs were then rolled onto a slide and diagnosed for BV. To detect N. gonorrhoea, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, and other RTIs, Dacron was used in collecting cervico vaginal samples for PCR tests. A sample from each participant was carefully labelled and stored at -20o C for some hours before extraction, carried out within a day Using 10% Giemsa, malaria diagnosis was done using the thick and thin method. Educational attainment was classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary education, while economic status was established based on a family’s monthly income into low, middle, and high income earners. Results: Out of the 200 pregnant women that participated in the study, a total of 104 (52%) were singly or concurrently infected with malaria and reproductive tract infections, among whom 28 (26.9%) were within the age bracket of 18 and 24 years. 49 (47.1%) and 25 (24%), respectively, were aged 25 to 34 years and 35 to 44 years. Two participants were aged 45 years and older. Among the 104 participants with malaria and RTIs, a total of 102 (98%) were married, while 2 were widows. 18 (17.3%) had primary school education, while 82 (78.8%) and 4 (3.8%) attained secondary and tertiary education, respectively. The majority of them, 97 (93.3%), were low income earners, while 7 (6.7%) belonged to the middle income category. Conclusion: The level of education and income status affect the prevalence of malaria and its co-infection with reproductive tract infections, both in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Improving women’s educational and economic well-being is imperative to improving risk awareness, thereby reducing and preventing malaria and RTI infections among women generally.Self sponsore
In, Maulin P. Shah (eds.) Green Approach to Alternative Fuel for a Sustainable Future. Green Approach to Alternative Fuel for a Sustainable Future.
No full textEvaluation of the Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Properties of Annona Muricata L. (Soursop)
No full textThe ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts, of dried leaves, bark root and mixture of bark, root and leaves of Annona muricata l (soursop) were screened for its phytochemical constituents and invitro antibacterial properties on the following hospital isolates: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. Methods: The well in agar and disc diffusion techniques were used to assay for the antimicrobial properties and the result showed that the ethanol and methanol extracts of the leaf at different concentrations inhibited the growth of all the organisms. The aqueous extracts of the leaf inhibited the growth of only the E. coli. The ethanol and methanol extracts of the root inhibited the growth of S. pyogenes, and E. coli. The bark extract inhibited the growth of S. aureus, Salmonella typhi,and E. coil. The mixture of the bark, root and leaf extract inhibited the growth of S. pyogenes only. Results: The Minimum inhibitory
Concentration (MIC) of the ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the bark, root, leaf and the mixture of the bark, leaf and root determined by the tube dilution method falls within the range of 65.25mg/mI, 125mg/ml to 250mg/ml accordingly for the sensitive organisms. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of both the ethanol and methanol extracts was found to be between 250mg/ml and 125mg/mI for some of the organisms investigated. No MBC was recorded for aqueous extracts of all the sensitive isolates. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponin, anthroaquinone, anthranoid, phenol. Alkaloid, tannin, Phylobatannin, and cardiac glycosides. Conclusion: The alcoholic extracts retained the antimicrobial properties of the plant more than the aqueous extract.Self Sponsore
Librarians Use of Information Literacy Strategic Tools for Teaching Students in Nigeria Universities to Combat Fake News and Misinformation
No full textThe research assessed the extent of use of Information literacy tools by librarians in Nigeria for teaching undergraduate students' skills to combat fake news. The research method was document analysis. The research analysed forty-four course materials currently used by Librarians for teaching an information literacy course coded GST 121 (Use of Library, Study Skills and Information Communication Technology. The research also examined library websites of 20 universities in Nigeria to determine availability of fake news content. Findings show there were no module or chapter on fake news and misinformation in the 44 course materials reviewed. Equally, there was no content on fake news on the library websites. However, the course materials included media and information literacy modules which are underlining competencies that are important in guarding against fake news and misinformation. The librarians provided instructional units on online bibliographic databases in more than half (56.8%) of the course materials. There were added units on database literature search (38.6%) and search engine information search (27.6%). Only a small percentage had units on evaluating information (11.4%). It is recommended that librarians should review the GST 121 curriculum and include distinct modules on evaluating information, fact-checking, spotting and combating fake news and misinformation
Studies on the Efficacy of Various Antimycotic Drugs on Emerging and Reemerging, Superficial, Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mycotic Infections
No full textIntroduction: The efficacy of five systemic and topical antifungal medications, Voriconazole, clotrimazol, beclometasone, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole, on dermatomycosis, which affects the superficial layers of the skin, nails, foot, and hair, was tested with 180 patients. Methods: Included were specimen collection, processing, microscopy, and culture, as well as antifungal susceptibility testing using the E-test method. The Candida species were confirmed and their susceptibility to Voriconazole and Fluconazole was tested using the automated Vitek 2. Results: The final strain identification indicated 41 dermatophytes (69.49%), 11 non-dermatophytic molds (NDM) (18.64%), and 7 yeasts (11.87%). (candida). Candida was the most prevalent nondermatophyte species found. Trichophyton rubrum was the most prevalent species isolated in Tinea corporis, T. cruris, T. capitis, and T. faciei. When tested with the E strips, all dermatophyte strains showed the greatest vulnerability to beclometasone and clotrimazole (MIC range of 0.04 0.64), but homogeneous resistance to Fluconazole (i.e. MIC 32 g/ml). Conclusion: Variation in species distribution was shown to be statistically significant (p = 0.001) in terms of clinical presentation