SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

M. Mustapha, Abubakar L. and M.U. Muhammad

Department of Chemistry

Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto

E-mail: mustaphamusa63@yahoo.com

Abstract: The paper explains what Science is and gives a distinction between pure and applied science. It treats the concept of economic development and explains some popular theories of economic development. It also discusses why science is important for economic development and recounts some examples of the impact of science in the economic development of a nation. Also, it examines how economic development can be facilitated through proper application of science. It concludes that considering the pivotal role pure and applied science have to play in driving the industrialization of a nation, it is important that a nation like Nigeria emphasize the need for a formidable Science base in all levels of education (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary) and recommends the establishment of a National Science Foundation.

CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATING THE ASSUMPTIONS OF OLS IN THE PRESENCE OF AUTOCORRELATION

Uchendu, Bartholomew .A.

Department of Maths/Statistics

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria

E-mail: uchendubartholomew@yahoo.com

Abstract: The consequences of applying OLS to a relationship with autocorrected disturbances are qualitatively similar to those already derived for the heteroscedastic case, namely unbiased but inefficient estimation and invalid inference procedures. As in the case of heteroscedasticity, in the presence of autocorrelation, the OLS estimators are still linear unbiased as well as consistent and asymptotically normally distributed, but they are no longer efficient (i.e., minimum variance). In the case of heteroscedasticity, we distinguish two cases and the possible cause and sources of autocorrelation. The violation of the assumptions of normality may have significant consequences in applying OLS and such consequences include substantial loss in efficiency, inflating the precision or accuracy of the estimators by underestimating the standard error of β. Moreover, violating of the assumptions of normally of the error term is important in econometric analysis. If this assumption is violated, then the basis of hypothesis testing breaks down. In this direction, a large number of possible tests for normality and robust estimator have been suggested. The assumption of lack of autocorrelation or serial correlation of the error term implies that the disturbance covariance at all possible pairs of observation points are zero. Violation provides the basis of for this research because it affects the consistency of the OLS estimators. Models with such disturbances are widespread, as applied econometrics especially in modeling of economic data.

ASSESSMENT OF PIPE-BORNE WATER SUPPLY IN MALUMFASHI TOWN, KATSINA STATE AS A CHALLENGE TO RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GLOBALIZING AFRICA

Haruna Saleh¹ and Abdulmalik M. Sada²

^1&2Department of Geography

Umaru Musa Yar`Adua University Katsina, Nigeria

harunasaleh@gmail.com, maiwadaabdulmalik@yahoo.com

Abstract: An assessment of Pipe-borne Water Supply was carried out in Malumfashi Town, Katsina. Method used for investigations includes population data of the town, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward division criteria and 653 structured questionnaires survey distributed to the households among the four (4) sampling areas. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test at 0.001 significant levels were used to analyze the data. Results obtained indicate the sources of pipe-borne water supply to the study area came from Malumfashi Water Board and the supply was generally inadequate to meet the demand. Testing the relation of flow duration of tap-water at 0.001 significant levels with less and greater than 3 hours per day indicates significant spatial variations of pipe-borne water supply among the four sampling areas. Generally southern part (Ward A) receives more supply than the Northern part (Ward B). As a consequence of this you could see people of the urban area now resort to alternative sources of water supply such as hand-dug wells, water vendors among others. These predominantly unwholesome sources are variable sources of water borne-diseases. The study thus, recommends that Water Board should ensure pipe-borne water supply meets the demand and encourages private sector participation in water supply system. This would no doubt be a challenge to research and innovation for economic development in globalizing Africa.

EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Annona muricata SEED ON LIVER FUNCTION ENZYMES IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE MICE

Agbai E.O.¹ and Nwanegwo C.O.²

¹Department of Human Physiology, Madonna University Elele, Rivers State Nigeria.

²Department of Human Physiology, Imo State University, Owerri Nigeria.

E-mail: madonna3k5@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study investigated the methanolic extract of Annona muricata seed on some liver enzymes: serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as well as the liver histology. Twenty male mice were used in this study. Sixteen mice were alloxanized (200 mg/kg of alloxan intraperitoneal (i.p.). The four control (group A) mice were administered normal saline (i.p). The mice were confirmed diabetic and randomly divided into four experimental groups (B, C, D, and E). Group A (control) received normal rat chow, Group B (diabetic control) received normal rat chow, Group C received 200 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract, Group D received 400 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract, and Group E received 600 mg/kg of Annona muricata seed extract. At the end of 30 days experiment, result showed statistically significant difference in blood glucose level between Group A (CONT) (92.33 ± 8.81mg/ml) compared to Group B (485.67 ± 16.19 mg/ml) Group C (137.33 ± 11.61 mg/ml), and Group D (130.00 ± 9.54 mg/ml) at P < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in blood glucose level of Group A (CONT) (92.33 ± 8.81 mg/ml) compared with treated diabetic Group E (106.00 ± 7.23 mg/ml) at P > 0.05. There was a statistically significant decrease in body weight at P < 0.05 between the final body weight and initial body weight of Group C (32.73 ± 1.30 vs. 45.00 ± 1.50), Group D (33.47 ± 1.56 vs. 45.07 ± 1.65), Group E (32.33 ± 2.96 vs. 44.33 ± 1.45) but no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between the final body weight and initial body weight of Group A (CONT) (37.33 ± 3.71 vs. 37.00 ±3.51), and Group B (38.07 ± 1.55 vs. 44.20 ± 0.61).In serum ALP level, result showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in Group A (CONT) (10.91 ± 3.34 μ/L) compared to Group B (29.50 ± 0.44 μ/L), statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between Group B (29.50 ± 0.44 μ/L) compared to Group C (15.64 ± 7.78 μ/L) and Group E (13.64 ± 7.21 μ/L) and no statistically significant between Group A (CONT) (10.91 ± 3.34 μ/L) compared with Group C (15.64 ± 7.78 μ/L) and Group E (13.64 ± 7.21 μ/L) at P > 0.05.In serum AST level, result showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in Group A (CONT) (56.25 ± 4.35 μ/L) compared to Group B (82.73 ± 1.16 μ/L), statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between Group A (CONT) (56.25 ± 4.35 μ/L) compared to Group E (37.33 ± 25.96 μ/L) but no statistically significant between Group A (CONT) (56.25 ± 4.35 μ/L) compared with Group D (57.33 ± 25.45 μ/L) at P > 0.05.In serum ALT level, result showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in Group A (CONT) (13.50 ± 3.66 μ/L) compared to Group C (5.33 ± 1.33 μ/L), statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between Group A (CONT) (13.50 ± 3.66 μ/L) compared to Group B (32.00 ± 0.78 μ/L. However, there was no statistically significant between Group A (CONT) (13.50 ± 3.66 μ/L) compared with Group D (14.00 ± 5.13 μ/L) and Group E (13.67 ± 1.67 μ/L) at P > 0.05. Group E photomicrograph showed normalization of cells and reduced sinusoids compared to Group B photomicrograph which showed a marked focal dilation with congestion of the central vein. Therefore, data suggest that increased dose concentration of methanolic extract of Annona muricata seed restored significantly decreased serum ALP, AST and ALT, and restored cytoarchitecture of liver hepatocytes.

SPECIATION OF SELECTED TRACE METALS IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM DUMPSITES IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Egila, J.N¹, Ibrahim, E.G² and Ibrahim, M.A.G³

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

²Nasara Spring Water Nigeria Limited, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

³Department of Chemistry, College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

E-mail: Ezekiel_ibrahim@yahoo.com

Abstract: Speciation of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) were carried out on soil samples from dumpsites in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria using Tessier et al., (1979) method. The results for various fractions obtained from the Jos road dumpsite are as follows; for samples taken from 0-5cm Jos Road, the ranges of the fractions are 0.56 to 21.56%, 0.34 to 40.66%, 1.34 to 29.18%, 0.06 to 45.91%, and 0.37 to 12.95%  for exchangeable, Fe-Mn oxide, organic, carbonate and residual fractions respectively. For the samples taken from 10-15cm at Jos Road dumpsite the ranges of the fractions are 0.42 to 13.63%, 0.03 to 18.48%, 1.01 to 25.34%, 0.03 to 35.19% and 0.27 to 9.31% for exchangeable, Fe-Mn oxide, organic, carbonate and residual fractions respectively. The results of the fractions obtained from Emir Palace dumpsite are as follow. For samples taken from 0-5cm the ranges of the fractions are 0.25 to 18.34%, 2.73 to 15.58%, 4.02 to 23.28%, 0.07 to 45.25% and 1.57 to 37.43% for exchangeable, Fe-Mn oxide, organic, carbonate and residual fractions respectively. For samples taken from 10-15cm at Emir Palace dumpsite ranges of the fractions are 0.42 to12.62%, 0.80 to 11.59%, 2.16 to 17.33%, 9.86 to 34.48%, and 0.99 to 32.99% for exchangeable, Fe-Mn oxide, organic carbonate and residual fractions respectively. The concentration of these selected metals decreases as the depth of the soil increases. All the selected metals are available in both dumpsite which shows that dumpsite pollute the soil by releasing metals into it.

ON TIME SERIES MODELS AND PREDICTION OF DEPOSITS AND LOANS OF RURAL BRANCHES OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN NIGERIA

Ojo, J.F.

Department of Statistics

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

E-mail: jfunminiyiojo@yahoo.co.uk  

Abstract: This study develops best time series model for the prediction of deposits and loans of rural branches of commercial banks in Nigeria. The time series models proposed for predicting deposits and loans were autoregressive bilinear and autoregressive integrated bilinear models. The parameters of the proposed models were estimated using Newton-Raphson iterative method. Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) were used to determine the order of the models. To determine the best model, the residual variance was used. Estimation of parameters witnessed a unique, consistent and convergent estimator and the best derived model was used to predict the future deposits and loans.

EFFICACY OF TRADITIONAL HERBS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TOANTIBIOTICS USED IN AQUACULTURE

¹Akinyemi, A.A. and ²Ajagbe, S.O.

¹Aquaculture and Fisheries Management Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

²Agricultural Technology Department, Federal College of Forestry, FRIN, Ibadan, Nigeria.

E-mail: adeoluakinyemi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Diseases in aquaculture are hardly avoided like every other branch of agriculture. Therefore, many attempts have been made toward finding solution to this problem especially bacterial disease in aquaculture. The use of antibiotics is common to treat bacterial diseases with satisfactory results, until recent time when it was discovered that the continuous use of antimicrobial agents in aquaculture has resulted in more resistant bacterial strains. This problem had shifted the focus of researchers and farmers to the use of herbs to treat and control bacterial diseases in aquaculture. The herbs are cheap, available in large quantity around us and they pose no danger to the fish, the environment and the consumers. This work therefore, identified some useful herbs that have antibacterial activities and classified them into exotic and indigenous for easy use of local fish farmers in Nigeria.

ACARICIDAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpiniaceae) on Hyalomma KOCH, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) LARVAE

¹Biu, A.A., ²Abdulkadir, M.A., ¹Konto, M., ¹Mohammed, A., ¹Fadimatu, M. and ²Emmanuel, S.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri Nigeria

²Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the acaricidal activity of aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark on Hyalomma larvae using the immersion technique. The larvae of Hyalomma species were exposed to extract concentration levels of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% for a duration of 1 hour and mortality recorded as mean ± standard deviation and percentile of 4 replicates post immersion. The mean ± SD of larval mortality ranged between 11.1±4.5 and 17.1±1.5 for 5 and 25% concentrations respectively compared with 1.8±1.4 and 00 for distilled water and normal controls respectively (p < 0.05). The mean ± SD mortality rates ranged between 55.6±23.2 and 85.6±7.3 for 5 and 25% concentrations respectively compared with 8.8±6.9 and 00 for distilled water and normal controls respectively (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study has indicated a positive correlation between extract concentration and larval mortality.

INCIDENCE OF ABANDONED LANDED PROPERTIES IN OGBOMOSO AND OSOGBO: A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE

Akindele, O.A. 

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

 Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

E-mail: remiakinakindele@yahoo.com

Abstract: The study appraises the incidence of landed property abandonment in Ogbomoso and Osogbo. Eight Urban blocks (10% of each) were sampled as representatives; each from three (3) different residential densities i.e. high, medium and low residential densities. From the blocks, actual enumeration of the abandoned landed properties was done. Density of abandoned landed properties was determined. The spatial analysis is obtained by running the nearest neighbour analysis for the abandoned buildings and vacant land for the cities in their respective densities. The comparison of the incidence of abandonment between both cities was done with Student’s T-test. The study observed a high incidence of landed property abandonment, which was found to be more at the medium density of the residential areas. The study thus recommends a sustainable way of combating landed property abandonment.

ESTIMATION OF GRID CONNECTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC

POTENTIAL OF MUBI

¹Daniel A. Aremu and ^2*Ibrahim, U.H.

^1&2Department of Mechanical Engineering

Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

E-mail: heldabuk@yahoo.com

Abstract: The epileptic and constantly interrupted power supply in Nigeria is an indication that all is not well with the power sector. The workability of the current reform in the power sector largely depends on how well the solar photovoltaic technology is integrated into the power sector which is in consonance with global energy transition. Therefore, the need to support the existing unreliable power sector with a sustainable source of power is paramount. This paper is therefore an attempt to use the abundant sunshine Nigeria is blessed with to estimate the grid connected solar photovoltaic potential of Mubi based on the incident solar radiation on 100 m² area. The study reveals that a solar photovoltaic plant capacity of 89kW can be accommodated on 100 m² chosen area. The output voltage and current of this solar photovoltaic structure are 912 volts dc and 65 A dc. These outputs can be fed into the grid via 3-phase inverter and 3-phase transformer. The integration of the grid connected solar photovoltaic system into the national grid will not only enhance the accessibility, reliability and sustainability of power supply but, will ensure the accomplishment of the government transformation agenda on power whose target is to achieve a generation capacity of 10,000MW  by 2020.