25 research outputs found
Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Stool Samples of Diarrheic Children Under 5 Years in Sokoto, Nigeria
No full textDiarrheal diseases continue to pose substantial public health challenges, especially in children under the age of 5. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is the second most common cause of diarrhea in children after Rotavirus. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant DEC recovered from diarrheic children aged 0-5 years in Sokoto. Stool samples were obtained from 300 diarrheic children attending two hospitals in Sokoto. Bacterial isolates that showed colonial morphology suggestive of E. coli were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. PCR was carried out to confirm the presence of DEC and resistant genes among the multiple antibiotic-resistant isolates. Structured questionnaires were administered to determine the risk factors that predispose the children to diarrhea. The results revealed a 21% prevalence of E. coli isolates, out of which 75% displayed resistance to Ampicillin, 75% to Nalidixic acid, 30% to Gentamycin, 23% to Ofloxacin, 74% to Cefotaxime, 23% to Ceftriaxone, 18% to Nitrofurantoin, 10% to Imipenem, and 73% to Cefuroxime. Out of the 30 E. coli isolates with a MAR index of ≥ 0.2, 12 were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). All four MDR E. coli selected were confirmed to be DEC using the UidA gene. Out of all the four MDR DEC confirmed, only one class 1 integron was detected, raising concern about the misuse of commonly used antibiotics. This study highlights the need for implementing antibiotic stewardship programs and infection control measures to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant DEC within Sokoto
Spatio-Temporal Variation of Actual Evapotranspiration of Lower River Kaduna Catchment, Nigeria
No full textEffect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in Bauchi state, Nigeria
No full textEstimation of Biophysical Properties in Lower River Kaduna Catchment Area Kaduna, Nigeria
No full textFORECASTING NIGERIA’S INFLATION USING SARIMA MODELING
No full textInflation series exhibit trend or seasonality that makes it difficult to analyze the inflationary pressures for monetary policy decision making. It is imperative to note that few empirical studies have tilted towards addressing the seasonality issues to track the sources responsible for these fluctuations. It is against this background that the study aims at developing a model of inflation with higher data points and taking into cognizance its periodic seasonal component and use the estimated model to make forecast. The study used monthly data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin. Data was analysed using seasonal ARIMA model (SARIMA) which is an extension of autoregressive (AR) and moving average (MA) process in the popular Box-Jenkins methodology. With 300 data points, the study developed SARIMA (1,0,0) x (1,1,0)12 from among the competing models based on its AIC and BIC values. The estimated model is found to be adequate in making forecast using a sample data for 2019. The study thus recommends that monetary authorities should consider the seasonal component in designing monetary policies targeted at inflation to stabilize the economy
IMPACT OF FIRM CHARACTERISTICS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED CONSUMER GOODS FIRMS IN NIGERIA
No full textThis study examines the impact of firm characteristic on environmental performance of listed consumer goods firmsin Nigeria. The study uses sixteen out of twenty listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria, and adopts correlationalresearch design. Data for the study was extracted from the annual reports and accounts of the sampled firms for aperiod of 13 years from 2010 to 2022, and analyzed using multiple regressions. The results from the statisticalanalysis reveal a significant impact of firm characteristics (leverage, tangibility and firm size) on environmentalperformance using waste management cost while profitability, firm age and liquidity have insignificant impact onenvironmental performance of the sampled companies. The study concludes that leverage, tangibility and firm sizeaffect environmental performance of the listed consumers’ goods companies in Nigeria. Based on this, this studyrecommends that management of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria should take into account factors suchas leverage, tangibility and firm size when deciding on to spend on waste management for environmentalperformance. Also, the management should embrace environmental performance practice in their plan which mayelevate a company's image, engender trust, and secure its place as a frontrunner in the race towards a sustainableand profitable future. This implies that companies in line with their attributes should develop business models andstrategies that will ensure environmental sustainability practic
Biochemical and kinetic properties of crude phospholipase A2 from Naja nigricollis venom
No full textSnake envenomation has been a source of concern worldwide due to potential mortality risks associated with it. This study was carried out to investigate the biochemical and kinetic properties of crude phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Naja nigricollis venom. Biochemical and kinetic properties of the venom was determined using standard procedure. Though the results showed that the enzyme PLA2 is stable at pH 4 and 6, the optimum pH of activity of the PLA2 is 3, while the optimum temperature of activity of the enzyme is 70 oC. Of all the activators used (CoCl2, CaCl2, MnCl2 and MgCl2), MgCl2 was the highest activator of the enzyme activity at 5 mM. The suggestive amino acids in the active site of the PLA2 were aspartate and glutamate. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax of the PLA2 were found to be 0.6 mg/ml and 3.3 μmol/min respectively. These findings could lend support to more understanding of biochemical and kinetic properties of crude Naja nigricollis PLA2
Natural Capital Accounting and Profitability of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria
No full textThis study examines the impact of natural capital accounting on profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria and it adopts correlational research design. The population of the study consists of sixty-four manufacturing firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for thirteen years between 2010- 2022. The study used the purposive sampling method, to obtain a sample of forty-nine manufacturing firms that meet the criteria. Return on Asset (ROA) is considered as proxy of profitability while natural capital accounting index (scores) were generated using 7 items in line with International Initiative on Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). Data for the study was extracted from the annual reports and accounts of the sampled firms for the period under study, and analyzed using multiple regressions. The result revealed that natural capital accounting has significant and positive effect on return on asset (ROA). Based on these findings, this study therefore, concludes that natural capital accounting influence profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study recommends among others that, listed Nigerian manufacturing firms should emphasize more on reporting their natural capital accounting as it is capable of improving their profitability. This can be achieved through proper and accurate reporting of their environmental information, because it affects profitability significantly. Also, in line with global best practices, regulatory agencies in Nigeria should issue reporting standards that would make reporting of all sustainable capital items and particularly environment/natural capital accounting mandatory
Secure and Optimize VoIP Communication Using QoS Technologies and VPN
No full textThe use of Voice over IP (VoIP), which enables two users connected to Internet to have a voice conversation, plays a vital role on the performance of an enterprise companies. In this research we have focused in the Virtual Private Network (VPN) environment and how to run voice application over it. The Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is as a combination of IP networks, voice applications and voice calls which being replaced by the old service conversation and created their evolution at the technical and conceptual framework of phone. This technology is an innovative form of phone that can dramatically increase performance and capacities of telephone service for businesses and individuals around the world. But voice qualities, security, Jitters, Echo, Data loss are the pertaining problems associated with VoIP. To overcome this limitation in this research, we used Simulation method in Cisco packet tracer to secure this technology using VPN. This is because VPN establishes a secure, encrypted connection between a computer and the internet, providing a private tunnel for ones data and communications while he/she uses public networks. Thus, provide users with a secure communication platform and at the same time optimized the technology using QoS technologies so as maintained and assure service’s performance and to avoid degradation of speech quality
HIV/AIDS: Are Our Secondary School Students in Zaria Metropolis Receiving Adequate Communication from Their Families?
No full textIntroduction: Nigeria has one of the highest proportions of cases of HIV/AIDS globally. This burden is more pronounced in the younger population which includes secondary school students (SSS). We set out to determine the level of family communication among SSS in Zaria metropolis.
Subjects and Methods: We carried out a cross‑sectional study among 73 randomly selected students. Data were obtained with a semi‑structured, pretested, self‑administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to present data at the univariate level while Chi‑square or Fisher’s exact test was employed to identify the relationship between non-numeric variables with a 5% level of significance.
Results: The mean age (± standard deviation) was 16.1 ± 1.1 years. Majority have heard 60 (82.2%) and have good knowledge 55 (75.3%) of family communication. There was an overall positive attitude as 44 (60.3%) believe it helps prevent HIV/AIDS and 57 (78.1%) believe it is very important and should be encouraged. Most (57 [78.1%]) have had family communication, with mother as the preferred partner 49 (86%). HIV/ AIDS (44 [77.2%]) was the major issue discussed. We out that found the knowledge of family communication was significantly associated with its practice (P = 0.018).
Conclusion: Awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practice of family communication were good among respondents. Father’s educational level and knowledge of family communication were significantly associated with its practice among respondents. More studies are required to evaluate the determinants of the practice of family communication
