FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

BACTERIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOME COMMERCIALLY SOLD YOGHURT IN UTURU, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2024-07-02T04:45:57+00:00

A preliminary study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of commercial yogurt sold in Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. This involved isolation, characterization and antibiotics susceptibility of bacteria isolated from some commercially sold yoghurt in Uturu. Five different brands of yoghurt coded A to E were microbiologically analyzed using standard microbiological methods. The total viable count ranged from 0.9×10²cfu/ml – 2.0x10³cfu/ml, coliform count ranged from 0.4×10²cfu/ml – 1.0×10³cfu/ml, total staphylococcal count ranged from 1.1×10¹ to 1.8×10². Bacterial isolated include Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus species, Bacillus species and Lactobacillus species. The antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates proved that drovid had the highest zones of inhibition from 31.8±1.2 mm to 36.1±0.3 mm, followed by oflaxacin (29.5±0.1 mm to 35.0±0.8 mm). The presence of coliform and Staphylococcus in the yoghurt may be as a result of unclean water used in the production, contaminated milk and unhygienic condition of the handlers. It is recommended that yoghurt producers, sellers and handlers should ensure a high level of hygiene and avoid long exposure of yoghurt before selling to consumers.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL EVALUATION OF FERORO STREAM WATER QUALITY, CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:01+00:00

Aquatic environment is faced with pollution problems most of which are anthropogenic in nature. Feroro stream water was evaluated for its quality and suitability for the growth of organisms. The temporal and spatial qualities of the water was observed to be deteriorating. Water sampling was done once monthly for twenty-four months from five stations along the stream. The water samples were put into 2-litre sterilized plastic bottles. Some physical and chemical parameters were determined using HANNA meter, Dissolved oxygen meter, titration and colorimeter methods. All the parameters tested ranged within Federal Ministry of Environment standard limits. Turbidity and Total Hardness are above the standard limits. There was significant difference temporally P<0.05. Electrical Conductivity was significant different in all the stations P<0.05, lowest at Station 1(137.55µS/cm) and high at Station 5 (235.21µS/cm). Across the wet and dry seasons, the parameters significantly varied except in Temperature (25.79±0.12 and 25.57±0.26) and Total Hardness (119.68±6.13 and 109.50±3.38) P<0.05.

PALYNOLOGICAL, PALEOENVIRONMENTAL AND PALEOCLIMATE ANALYSES OF EMI-5-WELL, OFFSHORE NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:03+00:00

Palynological, Paleoenvironmental and Paleoclimatic investigations of Emi-5 well Offshore, Niger Delta, Nigeria was conducted to established palynozones, determine age, reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions and paleoclimatic conditions to permit stratigraphic correlation, provide insights into the depositional settings and changes overtime within the basin. Fifty one (51) shaly ditch cutting samples were subjected to standard palynological method involving sample maceration with 10 % HCl and 40 % HF acids to remove carbonates and siliceous components, neutralization with distilled water and sieving through 5-micron sieve, followed by separation of palynomorphs from residue prior to mounting of the grains on glass slides for further analysis. The palynological composition is marked by dorminance of pollen and spores over dinoflagellate cysts. The intercalation of the sandy and shaly intervals across the section evidenced from lithologic, textural, and wire line log data suggested that the entire studied interval belong to the Agbada Formation. Three interval range zones were delineated using the international stratigraphic guide for the establishment of biozones, they are Stereisporites sp – Verrutricolporites rotundiporus; Verrutricolporites rotundiporus – Gemmemonoporites sp. and Retistephanocolpites gracilis – Pachydermites diederixi Zones and based on the aforementioned zones the interval is assigned middle Miocene to late Miocene. Coastal-deltaic environment of deposition is inferred for the studied interval on the basis of occurrence and dominance of diagnostic forms such as Zonocostites ramonae,Rhizophora, Psilatricoloporites crasssus and Acrostichum aureum while good representation of these forms and the identified palyno-ecological groups placed the interval on a wet climatic zone.

MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CITRUS SINENSIS PEEL EXTRACTS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIA ISOLATED FROM WOUNDS

2024-07-02T04:45:43+00:00

The global rise of resistant bacteria threatens the effectiveness of antibiotics, recommending that herbs' natural chemical constituents could provide alternative antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. The study evaluated Citrus sinensis peel extracts' impact on bacterial species isolated from wound samples collected from six hospitals. Quantitative Phytochemical analysis was conducted on the Citrus sinensis peel extracts, Isolates were tested biochemically and molecularly for detection and confirmation of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. The study assessed the antibacterial activity of Citrus sinensis peel extracts using agar disc diffusion method, revealing significant bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, glycosides, and tannins. The extracts effectivity against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia comes from its bioactive phytochemical components. The result from the morphological and biochemical tests revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus epidermis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp but only Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia were confirmed by molecular method with a sequence identity of 99.35% and 97.41% respectively when analyzed using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) of the NCBI package. The study revealed that Citrus sinensis peel extracts showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia at different concentrations and Ciprofloxacin as a control. The ethanolic extract showed high activity, while the aqueous extracts showed significant activity. The study suggests Citrus sinensis peel has potential as an antibacterial agent for wound infection treatment, suggesting the need for its phytochemical composition quantification and purification.

AN APPLICATION OF POISSON REGRESSION MODEL ON ROAD ACCIDENTS DATA IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:03+00:00

The Poisson Regression model was used to analyze the data on road traffic crashes of Kaduna State from year 2014 to 2017. The data was collected from the Kaduna State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The analysis was carried out using the R (MASS Package) software. The variables considered are; Number of Persons Involved in accidents, Season (months of the year), Number of Crashes and Causes of Accidents. The results from the model were analyzed using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and goodness of fit. Result shows that the Poisson Regression Model has an AIC value of 1185.7. The scatter-plots are clustered and it has few outliers from the predicted line. This is due to the good value of the deviance and the parameters of the model are very much estimated. The result of the Poisson Regression Model aids in overcoming the over-dispersion problem, resulting in a better fit. Thus, indicating the existence of significant dispersion.

WELL-POSEDNESS OF A NOVEL MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR PERTUSSIS WITH VACCINATION AND ASYMPTOMATIC CLASSES

2024-07-02T04:46:04+00:00

Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium that causes pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory disease spread primarily through droplet coughing or sneezing. Despite all efforts to reduce or even eliminate the transmission of pertussis disease, it continues to be hazardous in newborns and adults, causing illness and death in both age groups. Numerous studies have examined the factors that influence the spread of pertussis epidemiology and have used mathematical models to predict the possible effects of different vaccination approaches. In this paper, a mathematical model of pertussis has been formulated by incorporating the vaccination and Asymptomatic classes. We established that the existence and uniqueness of solution, boundedness and positivity of solution holds for the epidemiological model.

INTEGRATED EMULSION PAINTS DERIVED FROM THREE POLYVINYL ACETATE (PVA) GROUNDNUT OIL

2024-07-02T04:46:04+00:00

A modified paint was produced in this research to supplement and substituteproducts by tender small-scale private paint factories, in an era of increasing demand of paints by the nation’s alarmingly growing building technology. The research was aimed at the formulation of an emulsion paint with the aid of polyvinyl acetate mixed with Groundnut oil as a binder by reducing volatile organic compounds and to determine the major physical parameters such as drying time, period of elongation, density, refractive index, adhesion, pH, and chemical resistance. The result obtained showed increase of dry to hard from Pure PVA paint (90.23 minutes) followed by Gombe PVA paint (105.5 minutes) to Taraba PVA paint (110.00 minutes). The drying time of the paint samples was in this order Taraba PVA paint (80.0 min) > Gombe PVA paint (75.5 min) > Pure PVA paint (75.23 min). The dry to touch was in the decreasing order: Taraba PVA paint (56.2 min) > Gombe PVA paint (53.4 min) > Pure PVA oil (49.15 min). The density (g/cm³) showed that Gombe PVA paint (1.16) > Pure PVA paint (1.30) > Taraba PVA paint (1.10). The solubility test for both Taraba PVA Groundnut paint and Gombe PVA Groundnut derived paint are practically insoluble in water, while Pure PVA derive paint dissolved in water instantly. All the three formulated paints passed the resistance blistering and flexibility tests. FTIR showed the following functional groups Hydroxyl, Amines, Carboxylic acids, Alkylhallides, Ketones and Aldehydes at specific wavelength are present in paints that serves as...

MASS-WASTING INDUCED SHIFTS OF THE BASE OF THE GAS HYDRATE STABILITY ZONE: EXAMPLES FROM THE OFFSHORE NIGER DELTA BASIN, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:45:45+00:00

Mass-wasting episodes lead to significant changes in the pressure and temperature regimes within shallow marine sediments and induce variations in the thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone. These variations are marked by vertical migrations of bottom-simulating reflections that typically mark the base of the hydrate zone. Using exploration seismic data from the Offshore Niger Delta, this study presents two examples involving the vertical migration of the base of the gas hydrate stability zones induced by mass-wasting events. The first is related to a slope failure surface along the forelimb of an active thrust-cored anticline with considerable bathymetric relief. Sediment removal has induced both a decrease in overburden pressure and an incursion of cooler temperature flux in strata in the anticline and led to a migration of the base of the gas hydrate stability zone to deeper levels. The second case is related to a recent erosional event that has led to sediment removal along a seafloor channel course. Evidence of ongoing migration of the base of the gas hydrate stability zone to deeper levels is provided by the lateral termination of a BSR along channel wall, its absence beneath the channel bottom and its apparent downward bend close to the channel fringes. Apart from unroofing hydrate systems and releasing free gas into the ocean and possibly the atmosphere, mass-wasting events on the seafloor, represent significant drivers influencing the formation of gas hydrates in shallow subsea sediments and the thickness and depths of the gas hydrate stability zone.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION AND HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH SELECTED BOREHOLE WATER PROXIMAL TO A DUMPSITE IN GIWO, BAUCHI STATE

2024-07-02T04:45:45+00:00

Water quality is a critical concern for human well-being and ecological stability, particularly as groundwater serves as a vital source of freshwater globally, sustaining various societal sectors. Human activities have increasingly polluted groundwater with contaminants, notably heavy metals, presenting potential health hazards to communities reliant on these water sources. This study investigates heavy metal contamination in borehole water samples from four distinct locations within Giwo, Bauchi State, Nigeria, and evaluates the associated long-term health risks of consuming this water. Analysis of the water samples identified iron to have the highest concentration (1.140 mg/L) while lead recorded the lowest concentration (0.0003 mg/L), the concentrations of zinc and copper across all the four locations were within the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) established by the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) of 3.0 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L. The Average Daily Intake (ADI) from water consumption for, zinc, iron, copper, cadmium, and manganese were consistently below their corresponding Reference Doses (RfDs) of 0.3 mg/kg/day, 0.7 mg/kg/day, 0.04 mg/kg/day, 0.0005 mg/kg/day, and 0.14 mg/kg/day, respectively for all water samples analyzed while the remaining heavy metals exhibited ADIs exceeding their established RfDs. Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for most metals were below the threshold of 1, suggesting a relatively low risk of adverse health effects. However, prolonged consumption of this water may heighten cumulative health risks associated with specific heavy metals, warranting continuous monitoring and remedial actions.

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND ANTIBACTERIAL EVALUATION OF DIVALENT METAL COMPLEXES WITH SCHIFF BASES DERIVED FROM 4- ANISALDEHYDE AND ARGININE

2024-07-02T04:46:05+00:00

In the present study, a new Schiff base, 5-Guanidino-2-[(4-methoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-pentanoic acid, and its metal (II) complexes were synthesized. Structural characterization was done using FTIR, UV-visible spectral analysis, molar conductance, and melting/decomposition temperature determination. Spectral studies revealed the ligand to be bidentate, coordinating with the metal through the carboxylic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. The antibacterial activity (in vitro) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains was studied using the agar well diffusion method. The results indicated that the free ligand exhibited no biological activity, whereas the cadmium complex (C₂₈H₃₈CdN₈O₆) proved to be the best antibacterial agent (up to 27 mm diameter inhibition zone against E. coli), followed by the Mn (II) complex and the Ni (III) complex having the least activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This means that metal chelation significantly affected the anti-bacterial behavior of the organic Schiff base. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field of bioinorganic chemistry and may have potential implications for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

SSESSMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF NARICT NEEM ORGANIC FERTILIZER AMONG SMALLHOLDER TOMATO FARMERS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:45:37+00:00

This study was designed to assess smallholder tomato farmer’s level of awareness of NARICT neem organic fertilizer as well as to determine the factors influencing its adoption by the smallholder tomato farmers in the study area. Four Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from the four ADP zones of the state. One village was randomly selected from each of the four selected LGAs and then 11% of the tomato farmers from each of the four villages were randomly selected to arrive at the sample size of three hundred and fifty (350) tomato formers. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of data. The mean age of respondents was found to be 42yrs for adopters and 35yrs for non-adopters, 96.9% were males for adopters and 22.1% are females for non-adopters respectively. The mean household size for the non-adopters was 11 persons and 8 persons for non-adopters. 94.3% of the interviewed farmers were aware of the NARICT neem organic fertilizer and 5.7% are not aware of the NARICT neem organic fertilizer. It was therefore concluded that even though about 54.3% of the respondents are aware of NARICT neem fertilizer, only about 45.7 % use it. Also, it was found out that the socio-economic and Institutional characteristics of the farmers have significant influence on the adoption of NARICT neem organic fertilizer. The result shows that socio economic factors such as farming experience, educational level, farm size, age and source of credit significantly influence adoption of the fertilizer...

QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND STABILITY STUDIES OF METRONIDAZOLE TABLETS FORMULATIONS OBTAINED VIA CRYSTALLO CO-AGGLOMERATION TECHNIQUE

2024-07-02T04:45:38+00:00

Stability studies are essential for assessing the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, ensuring they maintain their properties over time. This study aimed to assess the stability of metronidazole tablets stored in a desiccator with charged silica gel following the International council for harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines. Metronidazole tablets were formulated from metronidazole co-agglomerates using different excipients by direct compression method and stored for 6 and 12 months at 25±2°C/60±5% relative humidity. Quality parameters such as weight variation, diameter, thickness, hardness, friability, content uniformity, and dissolution rate were evaluated at intervals using the United States Pharmacopeia – National Formulary and British Pharmacopeia specifications. The tablets maintained uniformity in weight, diameter, thickness and content over 12 months, meeting pharmacopeial standards. They exhibited high crushing strength, low friability, and consistent disintegration times (<5 min), across formulations and storage durations with no significant changes after storage, indicating stable performance. The sustained high crushing strength, friability ratio (CSFR) and crushing strength, friability, disintegration time (CSFR/Dt) ratios suggested high tablet strength and quality. In-vitro dissolution studies showed release rates of 87.31 – 100.81 %, with a significant decrease at 6 months within pharmacopeial standards but no change at 12 months. Content uniformity was maintained throughout storage. Metronidazole tablets formulated from crystallo co-agglomerates demonstrated good stability and mechanical strength over 12 months of storage. Storage in air-tight containers with desiccants at controlled room temperature (25±2°C) or below their relative humidities is recommended for maintaining tablet quality

ASSESSMENT OF CO2 EMISSION DUE TO SPEED BUMPS ON SELECTED HIGHWAYS IN BAUCHI STATE

2024-07-02T04:03:52+00:00

One industry that will emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is dependent on the production of fossil fuels is transportation. Even though cars emit carbon dioxide (CO₂), which contributes to air pollution, fossil fuel-powered vehicles nevertheless require widespread use. Traffic-calming devices act as tools to reduce the rapidity of automobiles. They make a major contribution to road protection; however, air contamination is more likely to arise due to the fact that motor vehicles use brakes and accelerate more regularly. This study examines the impact of speed bumps brought on by elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels on selected commercial vehicles, including Vectra, Volkswagon, Peugeot, Ford Galaxy, and Toyota Hiace buses, traveling on highways from Bauchi to Jos, Bauchi to Azare, Bauchi to Gombe, and Bauchi to Kano. To estimate the CO₂ emissions of each kind of specified commercial vehicle, the fuel consumption of the vehicles before and after the installation of bumps was gathered using a questionnaire model and examined using a mathematical model using a macro-scale approach. The result shows that there is an increase of 21% in CO₂ emissions on the Bauchi to Jos Highway, 15% in CO₂ emissions on Bauchi to Azare, 24% in CO₂ emissions on Bauchi to Gombe, and 40% in CO₂ emissions on Bauchi to Kano. The study concludes that transport-related pollution on Bauchi Highway has indeed significantly increased with the installation of calming traffic devices, which is dangerous to human health and vegetation near these highways.

SIMULATION OF RELIABILITY, RELIABILITY INDEX, PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTION AND FAILURE FUNCTIONS FROM WEIBULL DISTRIBUTION FOR ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

2024-07-02T04:45:38+00:00

In modelling and simulating future rainfall for a selected location, the probability distributions have been established to be an effective tool. In this study, the different methods utilised in the estimation of the probability distributions’ parameters were evaluated and presented using Weibull's two parameters. Different estimator methods (mean rank, median rank, symmetric, graphical, least square, empirical, maximum likelihood, general probability, modified maximum likelihood, Mabchour, alternative maximum likelihood, equivalent energy, moment expression, Lysen and Moment methods) were used to determine probability density function, reliability, reliability index and failure functions of rainfall data from Maiduguri. The performances of these different methods were compared probability density function, reliability, reliability index and failure functions of Weibull two parameters. The study revealed that the values of probability distribution dimensionless shape variables were between 1.0193 and 4.205, and probability distribution scale factor constants were between 0.302 and 7.254. These values are all positive (non-negative values or less than zero) values. It was established that there were significant differences (F_{108, 1728}was 162.1976 and the probability (p) was zero) between the individual reliabilities and Weibull estimators (F_{15, 1620}was 14928.98 and probability was zero) at a 95 % confidence level (p less than 0.05). It was concluded that caution must be taken in the utilization of general probability, equivalent energy, Alternative Maximum Likelihood Method and moment expression methods in any engineering applications to prevent failure of devices or infrastructure.

PREVALENCE OF MALARIA, THE EFFECT OF PARASITAEMIA ON BLOOD PARAMETERS AND IRON LEVEL OF INFECTED CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN ITU, SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:45:39+00:00

Malaria is a devastating public health concern in Itu with varied haematological and biochemical implications. This study seeks to crystalize the prevalence of malaria, the effect of parasitaemia on some haematological parameters, and serum iron level of infected children under 5 in Itu Local Government Area, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional study involving 430 children. Blood samples were obtained from consented caregivers. Malaria prevalence and parasitaemia level were diagnosed microscopically. Haematology auto-analyzer was used to determine haematological parameters. Malaria prevalence of 41.08% was recorded in the study. The highest prevalence (42.86%) was reported among the female subjects. The difference in the infection rate between males and females was statistically significant (p<0.05). The infected children tended to have significantly lower mean haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell level, lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophil count, (p < 0.005) and a higher mean neutrophil, as well as white blood cell count (p < 0.05) compared to the non-infected subjects respectively. A weak correlation between the level of parasitaemia and Hb (r= 0.108), PCV(r=0.247), RBC (r= o.074), and a weak negative with WBC (r = -0.063) was also reported. The study also recorded a higher mean serum ferritin level (648 ng/ml) compared to non-infected, lower mean serum transferrin (6.41 ng/ml) compared to normal, and mean serum iron (54.40 ng/ml) was higher than normal. It is essential to pay keen attention to the evaluation of haematological and biochemical parameters in the management of malaria infection in children living in malaria-endemic areas.

AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF DRIED JUVENILE FISH (Clarias gariepinus) SOLD IN IBADAN METROPOLITAN MARKETS

2024-07-02T04:46:06+00:00

The contamination of food due to the occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi is a public health concern. Therefore, fungi and aflatoxin contamination of smoked-dried juvenile fish (SDJF) (Clarias gariepinus) were investigated. The samples were purchased from three major markets in Ibadan. The total fungal count ranged from 1.0 x 10³ to 12.0 x 10³ CFU/g. Thirty-two fungi were isolated, including Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus ochraceus. A. niger had the highest frequency of occurrence (38%), while A. ochraceus (3%) had the lowest. All the samples were contaminated with aflatoxin. The total aflatoxin content ranged from 0.237 to 1.995 ppb. Of the 11 Aspergillus strains obtained from the samples, 5 were aflatoxigenic, while 6 were not. 85 and 94% of the mycobiota were xerophilic and halophilic. The percentage moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, and ash content in the samples ranged from 12.99–17.82%, 68.72–77.62%, 0.49–6.00%, and 6.97–12.24%. Phosphorus and potassium concentrations of the SDJF samples ranged from 388.2–509.6 mg/100g and 1113.8–1517.0 mg/100g, while lead and cadmium were not detected in the samples. Though the level of aflatoxin contamination in this study was within the maximum limit permitted (20 ppb), proper attention is needed for adequate preservation before sales and consumption.

SPECIATION OF HEAVY METALS AND MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS IN HARMATTAN DUST WITHIN THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC KAURA NAMODA MAIN CAMPUS, ZAMFARA STATE

2024-07-02T04:45:39+00:00

Harmattan dust is a natural phenomenon contributing to air pollution due to the presence of heavy metals and microorganisms. This research aimed to determine the speciation of heavy metal and microbial contaminants in Harmattan dust samples within the polytechnic Kaura Namoda. The composite sample of each month, namely, December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, was collected with the aid of a sterilized petri dish. Five extraction phases were carried out, in order of mobility of the metals: exchangeable ion > metal bound with carbonate > metal bound to iron and manganese oxide > metals bound to organic matter and sulfide > residual phase. This was achieved using Tessie’s method and AAS for extraction and analysis. The result for the heavy metals shows Cr (13.6%) and Zn (25.5%) are more abundant in the exchangeable phases in December and January. Metals bound to Fe and MnO extraction phases have Zn (25.50%) abundance in December and January. The residual phase of extraction shows the highest percentage of pb (95.3%) and nickel (85.40%) for December and January. The bacteria and fungi identified are Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus, Aspergillum, and Clodosporium, respectively. There is no significant difference in physicochemical parameters between the Harmattan dust samples collected in December, January, and February. The percentages of heavy metals in the Harmattan dust are high in the immobility phase of extraction, and bacterial and fungal levels are high in December and January. There is a need for preventive and protective measures to mitigate the health effects associated with...

MAPPING OF FLOOD RISK ZONES IN KAFANCHAN TOWN, JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:10+00:00

Floods are defined as water disasters that causes temporal or permanent consequences in an environment. This research focused on the Mapping of Flood Risk Zones in Kafanchan town, Jema’a local government area by the utilization of field survey and GIS in other to identify and map out the flood prone areas in kafanchan. Multicriteria Method was used for evaluation of the flood risk areas by using various criteria like rainfall data, distance to road, drainage density, and slope. Findings revealed that heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage and slope are the major causes of flooding. From the findings the flood risk map identified places with high, moderate and low vulnerability. Results showed that flood disasters have detrimental effect on people and property. The flood tragedy significantly harmed the environment as well as socio-economic sector. In the research area, the threat of flood disaster has not been addressed by Disaster management/response organizations. Findings, however, showed that these initiatives are insufficient to reduce the threat and risk of flooding in the research area. This study helps government and policymakers in zoning to avoid future flood events from causing tremendous havoc in the study area and providing Early Warning Systems for the area.

ANTI-CORROSION INHIBITION OF ZINC IN 1M HYDROCHLORIC ACID SOLUTION BY USING Azadirachta Indica FRUITS LATEX (AIL)

2024-07-02T04:45:40+00:00

PROXIMATE, PHYTOCHEMICAL, MINERAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF Persea americana (Avacado pear) SEED

2024-07-02T04:45:43+00:00

The proximate, phytochemical, mineral, and antioxidant composition of Persea americana seed methanol extract was examined in this work. Standard procedures were used for both proximate, mineral composition and quantitative evaluations. Lipid peroxidation, reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl tests were used to measure the antioxidant activity. Using absorption spectroscopy techniques, antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C as well as enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) were evaluated. Based on the proximate analysis, the P. americana seeds have higher levels of protein (21.00 ± 0.88 %), fat (25.73 ± 2.01 %), and carbohydrates (32.05 ± 1.21 %), but they have lower levels of moisture (8.98±0.10 %) and ash (3.28±0.16 %). A quantitative phytochemical study found that there were phenols (3.51±0.42 mg/100 g),saponins (0.05±0.38 mg/100 g), alkaloid (0.70±0.37mg/100 g), beta-carotene (32.24±0.55mg/100 g), lycopene (6.84±0.52 mg/100 g), flavonoids (34.14±3.13 mg/100 g), phytate (0.00±0.03 mg/100 g), cardiac glycosides (0.37±0.01 %), total phytosterol (21.25±0.12 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (13.16±0.15 mg/100 g) and campesterol (6.16±0.12 mg/100 g). The mineral composition showed that iron and manganese had the lowest quantities, while potassium, calcium, and magnesium had the highest concentrations. The analyzed samples' potential therapeutic benefits in phytomedicine may be attributed to their respective chemical compositions. Out of all the antioxidant vitamins tested, vitamin E had the highest amount (267.73 ± 0.07 mg/100g), followed by vitamin A (7.60 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (3.88 ± 0.03 mg/100 g). As extract concentration increased, there was a substantial (p<0.05) rise in the DPPH scavenging effect and suppression of...

TEMPERATURE'S IMPACT ON HEAVY METAL REMOVAL WITH CALCINED CASSAVA PEEL AS AN ADSORBENT

2024-07-02T04:45:44+00:00

UTILIZATION OF COTTONSEED MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DURING SHORT TERM FEEDING PERIODS IN BROILER CHICKENS

2024-07-01T22:22:34+00:00

The utilization of cottonseed meal (CSM) as a protein supplement in poultry diets is hindered by the presence of gossypol which can adversely affect growth performance and increase mortality in broilers. This study investigated the impact of CSM supplemented with phytase on growth, performance, and hematological parameters in Arbor Acre broiler chickens. A total of 216 day-old broiler chickens were utilized in the experiment, starter diets was provided until day 20 and thereafter experimental diets from days 21 to 28. Six semi-purified diets were formulated in a 3x2 factorial, varying in CSM content (150, 300, and 450g/kg) and phytase supplementation (0 or 1000 units of Natuphos). Feed intake, body weight, and weight gain were monitored, while blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in feed intake, final weight, and weight gain among treatment groups with or without phytase supplementation, however average feed intake per bird across the treatments ranged from 219.80 to 278.00g, while a range of 204.30 to 259.00g was observed for average dry matter intake per bird. Hematological parameters including erythrocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, lymphocytes, heterocytes, basophil, eosinophils were within the normal range and did not differ significantly between birds fed diets with or without phytase supplementation. The inclusion of phytase in broiler diets showed no adverse effects on blood parameters and improved growth performance. Overall, these findings suggest that phytase supplementation in broiler diets containing CSM could be beneficial for growth performance without impacting blood parameters during short-term feeding periods.

AN ENGINEERED SYSTEM FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION IN SAMARU, ZARIA, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:11+00:00

Solid waste includes all materials that are firm and stable in shape including semisolid materials that are no longer considered of sufficient value to be retained in a given setting. Solid waste generation rates and patterns within the study area were mapped out through GPS, Google route software, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, GPS, Route optimization software, measuring tape, Marker, Containers of equal volume, Record book, Calculator, and Stopwatch. Eleven sacks were used to collect solid waste from eleven different households daily within three months of the wet and dry seasons of the year. The highest average volume of solid waste generated per household per week in Samaru was in the dry season =0.25 m³. The dry season witnesses a substantial volume of 0.206 m³ for garbage organic materials, constituting 66.45% of the total composition. In the wet season, this volume remains significant at 0.104 m³, accounting for 61.18% of the total composition. The highest percentage of organic materials (garbage) during both seasons suggests a need for improved organic waste management. The minimum allowable capacity of the solid waste collection containers for the designed system is 10 m³ considering a minimum of two containers per city block

ONE-STEP CENTRAL COMPOSITE-DESIGNED OPTIMIZATION FOR LEAD (II) IONS ADSORPTION ONTO PRISTINE AND ACID-MODIFIED ORANGE-PEELS FROM SIMULATED WASTEWATER

2024-07-02T04:46:12+00:00

A NEW INVERSE TWO-PARAMETER LINDLEY DISTRIBUTION AND ITS APPLICATION

2024-07-02T04:45:47+00:00

This paper proposes an inverse two-parameter Lindley distribution by utilizing the one and two parameter Lindley distributions. The key properties of the novel distribution like, its survival function, shape characteristics of the density, entropy measure, hazard rate function, stochastic ordering and stress-strength reliability were examined. Two data sets were employed in the empirical studies. Method of maximum likelihood was used to estimate the parameters. The goodness- of -fit was accessed using the HQIC, BIC, CAIC, and AIC. The proposed distribution was compared with the inverse Lindley and the inverse Akash distributions in order to access its superiority over the two distributions. Ultimately, the new inverse two parameter Lindley distribution was found to be superior by providing a better fit.

PHYSIO-ANATOMICAL EVALUATION OF SOME TREE SPECIES FOR AFFORESTATION IN DRY REGION OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:12+00:00

The stomatal features of plant species have ability to release water vapour into the air. Hence, correlations between the stomatal features and transpiration rate of five tree species namely Danielli oliveri, Delonix regia, Piliostigma thonningii, Azadirachta indica and Tectona grandis was studied to evaluate their capacity for afforestation. The leaf epidermal layers were isolated using nail polish; they were observed under the light microscope to examine their stomatal features. The transpiratiom rate was evaluated using the cobalt chloride method. The results revealed that Delonix regia and Piliostigma thonningii are amphistomatic; while the remaining three species are hypostomatic. The stomatal complex types observed are anomocytic, brachyparacytic and paracytic, The stomatal density ranged from 14.41 mm^-2 to 93.61 mm^-2; the stomatal index ranged from 7.15% to 28.23%; while the stomatal size ranged from 11.19 µm² to 29.36 µm². The study revealed that stomatal traits such as hypostomatic leaf nature, stomatal complex types (i.e. paracytic, brachyparacytic), low stomatal index, small stomatal size possessed by the plant species may be responsible for their lower rate of transpiration; which in turn might be suitable for their afforestation in dry areas. Therefore, Tectona grandis which released the lowest amount of water (2.49 × 10^-6mol m^-2s^-1) into the atmosphere might be the most suitable for afforestation, followed by Piliostigma thonningii, Daniellia oliveri, Delonix regia and lastly Azadirachta indica (2.97 × 10^-6mol. m^-2s^-1). Conclusively, the stomatal features showed positive correlations with transpiration rates; thereby enhancing the potentials of the studied species for afforestation in dry region.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCED FROM CORNCOB, COW BONE, AND COCONUT SHELL AS A FILTER MEDIUM

2024-07-02T04:45:48+00:00

Inaccessibility of safe drinking water coupled with poor sanitation and hygiene and its attendance effect is estimated to cost Nigeria about 1.3 billion dollars. The rural communities adopted different methods to filter their water however these methods have proven ineffective in removing certain impurities. The use of fabric cannot remove the microorganisms and chemicals present in water. It is given that activated carbon filters are applied in the removal of these chemicals to test the performance of activated carbon made from corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell as a filter medium, activated carbons were used separately, and combined in a model filter. Raw water samples from Kubanni River and the borehole in 55 apartment Dogon Itche Samaru, Zaria were filtered by the model without pretreatment. The sieve analysis carried out on the activated corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell shows effective sizes of 0.27mm, 0.08mm, and 0.21mm; and uniformity coefficients of 2.11, 5.38, and 2.33 respectively. The analysis showed that the combined media has the highest turbidity removal, 92% for the river sample and 89% for the borehole sample. In terms of acidity and chloride removal, the activated corncob gave better filtrate quality: 19% and 13% removal respectively. In the case of alkalinity, the activated cow bone and coconut shell showed a gradual removal in alkalinity from the borehole sample. The combined media showed more tendency to remove hardness compared to the other activated carbons

MACHINE LEARNING PREDICTION OF VOLUME FRACTION OF GAS-HYDRATES IN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES IN OFFSHORE NIGER DELTA

2024-07-02T04:45:52+00:00

This study employs multiphase simulations with OLGA software to investigate volume fractions of hydrate in an offshore gas system and develops machine-learning models to predict these fractions. Annually, substantial operating expenditures are allocated to hydrate prevention, with significant costs associated with inhibition (Wang et al., 2022). Hydrate formation along natural gas pipelines is recognized as a critical threat to the success of gas field operations. Despite the importance, no machine learning model has been validated for predicting volume fractions of hydrate in the Niger Delta study area, making this development crucial. Key findings indicate significant hydrate jamming risks in Niger Delta offshore flowlines and risers, with a peak volume fraction of 0.54, highlighting the need for proactive management strategies. Hydrate formation begins at 750 m where fluid temperatures fall below formation thresholds, with a sudden increase in volume at 2971 m, peaking at 3022 m before declining. Machine Learning model comparisons show Random Forest's superior accuracy (correlation coefficient of 0.9391, mean absolute error of 0.0271), while Linear Regression provides interpretable insights for future predictions. All models perform well, with Random Forest leading in accuracy. Regression analysis reveals relationships between volume fractions of hydrate and various parameters, guiding management strategies. The Random Forest and Linear Regression models are valuable for estimating hydrate volumes and enhancing management approaches in natural gas pipelines due to their accuracy and interpretability. These findings underscore the importance of proactive hydrate management in offshore gas systems and the potential of Machine Learning models to optimize these strategies.

EFFECT OF PAXHERBAL BITTERS ON INFLAMMATION AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN MALE WISTAR RATS FED A HIGH FRUCTOSE DIET

2024-07-02T04:45:50+00:00

Modern diets are often high in fructose, and this has been associated with increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Herbal remedies like Paxherbal bitters have been suggested as possible remedies. This study aims at determining if the co-administration of Paxherbal bitters could prevent the inflammation and oxidative stress, which occurs when male Wistar rats are fed a high fructose diet. Twenty male Wistar rats, approximately 200g each, were divided into four groups: the control, high fructose diet with fructose water (HFD+FW), HFD+FW with Atorvastatin, and HFD+FW with Paxherbal bitters, groups. After a 28-day experimental period, blood samples were assessed for high-sensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS-20 package. Results has shown that rats on the high fructose diet, displayed significantly (P<0.05) elevated HsCRP (0.63±0.04 mg/dl) and MDA (0.32±0.01 µM) levels, compared to control levels (0.27±0.01 mg/dl; 0.10±0.01 µM). Both Atorvastatin and Paxherbal bitters significantly (P<0.05) prevented the elevation of HsCRP, while only Paxherbal bitters significantly (P<0.05) prevented the increase in MDA level (0.13±0.02 µM) compared to the level seen in the HFD+FW group. The high fructose diet significantly (P<0.05) reduced the TAC in the rats, but Atorvastatin and Paxherbal bitters preserved the TAC (0.38±0.03 µmol/ml; 0.49±0.04 µmol/ml) of their respective groups compared to that of the negative control group (0.21±0.06 µmol/ml). This study shows that Paxherbal bitters prevented the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by a high fructose intake, suggesting its co-administration, has some preventive therapeutic role.

THE EFFECT OF Mg, Mn, Co DOPING ON THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF FeO THIN FILMS

2024-07-02T04:45:49+00:00

KNOWLEDGE EVALUATION OF MOSQUITO CONTROL PRACTICES WITHIN THE CENTRAL REGION OF JIGAWA STATE, NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:45:54+00:00

In order to mitigate and manage life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Dengue, and lymphatic filariasis, both socio-demographic factors and the collective vector control knowledge within the community are pivotal. Hence, the objective of the current study is to evaluate the awareness and understanding of mosquito control practices in specific communities located in Jigawa State, North-west Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 60 structural questionnaires were distributed in the three selected communities. In each village, 20 questionnaires were randomly shared and captured information on Demographical characteristics, House characteristics, Use of mosquito net etc. Among the 60 respondents, only 17(28.3%) of the respondents were participating in community sanitation, majority of respondents 56(93.3%) were found to keep water at home. However, usage of long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) on daily basis were recorded significantly highest 48(80%). We therefore recommend promotion of the significance of environmental sanitation as a primary measure for controlling mosquito-borne diseases among them.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFLUENTS FROM AQUACULTURE FARMS IN KANO STATE AND SUITABILITY AS IRRIGATION WATER

2024-07-02T04:45:51+00:00

This work assessed the physicochemical characteristics of aquaculture effluents generated in aquaculture farms in Kano State to establish their suitability as irrigation water. Samples were collected from different aquaculture farms in the urban and peri-urban areas where the farms are clustered, and the physicochemical parameters, including the concentrations of nutrients, heavy metals, electrical conductivity (EC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the effluents vary across the farms and the differences in the mean values were statistically significant at the 0.05 confidence interval. However, post hoc analysis based on the Fisher LSD test showed that the concentrations of certain individual parameters were not statistically different at the 0.05 interval. The concentrations of heavy metals were mostly within the standard limits. The EC values of the samples ranged from 0.85 dS/m to 2.4 dS/m, which are classified as having ‘slight to moderate restriction’ based on the FAO guidelines. Based on the combined EC and SAR analysis, some effluents fall under the “none” degree of restriction and are, therefore, suitable for irrigation. However, for some samples, such as that obtained from Farm No. 8 with SAR of 4.48 and a corresponding EC of 104 dS/m, the effluents are classified as having “slight to moderate” degrees of restriction, and should therefore be used with caution. The results show that although aquaculture effluents can be used as irrigation water, high SAR and EC may pose challenges. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the suitability of the effluents before using them

UNVEILING THE GENETIC BASIS OF BACTERIOCIN PRODUCTION FROM Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434

2024-07-02T04:46:13+00:00

The prevalence of resistance to traditional antimicrobials is increasing rapidly, leading to a significant rise in annual deaths from antibiotic-resistant illnesses. In 2020, the global death toll from such diseases was approximately 500,000. If current trends continue, this figure could exceed 10 million by 2050, with associated economic damages surpassing 100 trillion USD. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for alternative antimicrobials. Bacteriocins are considered among the most promising options. Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434 is known to produce a potent bacteriocin effective against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, though its specific bacteriocin and genetic properties have not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify the gene responsible for bacteriocin production in Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434. DNA was extracted from the bacterium, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted. The PCR products were analyzed through agarose gel electrophoresis, sequenced, and subjected to homology searches using the BLASTN and BLASTX tools from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Results revealed that Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434 contains a gene encoding enterocin B. Additionally, it was found to harbor the gene for enterocin A immunity protein production. This discovery paves the way for future genetic modification of Enterococcus faecium ATCC 19434 to enhance enterocin B synthesis, facilitating its commercial application.

DNA-BASED IDENTIFICATION OF PROCESSED MEAT ADULTERATION WITHIN KADUNA METROPOLIS

2024-07-02T04:46:14+00:00

Processed meat adulteration poses significant risks to consumer’s health and trust, with fraudulent practices like meat substitution, filler addition, and false labeling compromising product quality and authenticity. Insufficient regulatory oversight exacerbates these issues, necessitating stricter regulations, improved inspection procedures, and increased consumer awareness to ensure the safety and transparency of processed meat products. This study employed a DNA-based approach to detect adulteration in processed meats using primers specific to cattle cytochrome C oxidase, pig cytochrome C oxidase, and chicken 12S rRNA. Forty-four processed meat samples, including beef meat pie (8), chicken meat pie (8), beef minced meat (9), chicken minced meat (9), pork steak (5), and pork balangu (5), were randomly collected from stores in four Kaduna Metropolis markets: Central Market, Sabon Tasha, Barnawa, and Kawo. Results showed that 25.0% of beef meat pies and 77.8% of beef minced meat were adulterated, with an overall adulteration level of 52.9% for processed beef. For processed chicken, 37.5% of chicken meat pies and 44.4% of chicken minced meat were adulterated, yielding an overall 41.2% adulteration rate. All ten processed pork samples were authentic. Central Market samples had a 40% adulteration rate, with 50% involving beef and 50% chicken. Sabon Tasha showed 9.1% beef adulteration. Barnawa had 30.8% adulteration, with 25.0% beef and 75.0% chicken. Kawo recorded a 70.0% adulteration rate, with 42.9% beef and 57.1% chicken. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of DNA-based methods in detecting processed meat adulteration.

PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN FASKARI AND FUNTUA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:14+00:00

Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma; the digeic trematode found in the blood vessels of a man and livestock. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosoma haematobium infection among the Primary Schools pupils in Faskari and Funtua Local Government Areas of Katsina State. A total of 496 of urine samples were collected from children of 8 Primary Schools in the study areas; 4 from each local government. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and other exposure information to explore Schistosoma infection for urine, and urine sedimentation microscopic technique was used for sample analysis. Data were expressed in prevalence (%) and subjected to Chi-square analysis at p < 0.05. Out of the 496 children assessed, 160 (32.2%) were positive for urinary schistosomiasis. The prevalence is significantly (p<0.05) higher in Faskari Model Primary School with (48.3%). It was found from the result that, there was no significant relationship (P=6.608) between source of water and Schistosoma haematobium infection among the pupils in the study areas. There was also no statistical association (P= 1.570) between the source of water for bathing and the infection of urinary schistosomiasis among the students in the study areas. Therefore, schistosomiasis is prevalent in the study areas with Faskari local government having higher prevalence of the infection.

DETERMINISTIC MODEL OF ZIKA-VIRUS WITH CARRIER MOTHER AND RESERVOIRS: A MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS APPROACH

2024-07-02T04:45:53+00:00

In this paper, a mathematical model for the Zika virus is suggested to investigate the transmission dynamics of infection based on humans, pregnant carrier mother, infected children and the reservoir (primates) in three connected populations. Vertical and direct transmissions from all people to primates are considered in the proposed model. The Zika virus then spreads from this reservoir of infection via the nonhuman primate population (infected mosquitoes) to other entities. This virus can be passed on to the human population through an infected mosquito. Therefore, the new model with ten compartmental models has been normalized as follows: The normalized model is analyzed in depth to explore linkages between mosquitoes, humans, and primates on the dynamics of Zika-Virus transmission. The mathematical analysis comprises positivity and boundedness of solutions, determination of the basic reproduction number R₀ via next-generation matrix approach, existence and stability of all equilibria as well as sensitivity analysis. Local and Global Stability of the Disease-free Equilibrium. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to verify the analytical results obtained and exhibit the contribution of different model parameters on disease transmission dynamics. The results prove that the interaction of forest mosquitoes with primates has a significant effect on human-Zika-Virus transmission dynamics among the susceptible population due to transitions to forested areas. Moreover, the findings suggest that the transmission probabilities and biting rates of mosquitoes on humans and primates are major parameters in transmitting the disease.

INFLUENCE OF DROUGHT STRESS ON THE FRUIT AND YIELD QUALITY OF THREE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF TOMATO (Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

2024-07-02T04:45:51+00:00

Drought impacts various physiological processes in plants, ultimately affecting yield. The study aimed to determine the influence of drought stress on the fruit and yield quality of three different varieties of tomato namely; Rio, Dan Syria and UTC. The plants were subjected to four treatments which were subjected to 80-85% WHC (water holding capacity) (control, T1), 55-60% WHC (light drought stress, T2), 40-45% WHC (moderate drought stress, T3) and 30-35% WHC (severe drought stress, T4) and each replicated three times. The data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). According to the findings, Rio outperformed the other varieties in terms of fresh fruit weight (21.59g), fruit pericarp thickness (3.96mm) and drought tolerance index (56.17%) under severe drought conditions. However, under severe drought conditions, the highest average number of fruits (2.33) was produced by the UTC, closely followed by Dan Syria (2). The results also showed that under severe drought stress, Rio outperformed the other varieties in terms of fresh and dry weight of shoot, as well as fresh and dry weight of root (18.82g, 3.47g and 3.34g, 1.29g) closely followed by Dan Syria measuring 12.47g, 1.66g, 3.10g, and 0.62g respectively. Under conditions of severe drought stress, Rio, UTC, and Dan Syria exhibit drought tolerance indices of 56.17%, 37.49%, and 20.44% respectively. These suggest that Rio is the most resilient to drought compared to the other varieties. Therefore, farmers should consider using Rio, which has a high level of drought resistance, as a means to mitigate the impact of drought.

The The ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH SOIL SURROUNDING THE ROOT OF CITRUS (Citrus sinensis L.) TREE

2024-07-02T04:45:53+00:00

Microbiological processes occur in the soil around the roots of land plants. This dynamic area, where plants and microorganisms interact, is crucial for the health and productivity of these plants. This study was aimed at isolating and molecularly identifying bacteria associated with the soil surrounding the root of an orange tree growing in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria to be able to know their roles, whether beneficial or harmful. Securing the soil is a way of having a food-secured world. Soil samples were collected at four different points from an orange tree trunk into separately labeled Ziploc bags using a separate sterile hand trowel for each collection. The labeled ziploc bags were brought to the University of Ilorin's Biology Laboratory for physicochemical analysis of the soil sample and isolation of bacteria using serial dilution method. Results of the physicochemical assessment of the bulked sample indicated that it is a sandy-loam soil with pH value of 6.7 (slightly neutral). Four bacterial species, i.e. Bacillus cereus, Lysinibacillusmacroides, Leucobacterkomogatae, and Alcaligenesfaecalis were isolated and identified molecularly. According to existing literature, the four bacterial species identified in this study are known for their abilities to enhance plant development and solubilize phosphorus, which are crucial for improving supply of nutrient.

MACHINE LEARNING APPROACHES FOR CYBER BULLYING DETECTION IN HAUSA LANGUAGE SOCIAL MEDIA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

2024-07-01T22:22:43+00:00

The study was carried out to evaluate the performance of Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes, and Logistic Regression in detecting cyberbullying among Hausa language users on Twitter. Data was collected from the Kaggle Twitter database, focusing on interactions in the Hausa language. The dataset comprises 20,094 instances, including 12,322 labeled as cyberbullying (positive) and 7,772 labeled as non-cyberbullying (negative). Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was utilized to address class imbalance. Python libraries such as Pandas, scikit-learn, and NLTK were employed for data cleaning, transformation, integration, and reduction. The results obtained throughout the study underscored the power of machine learning algorithms in cyberbullying detection, particularly in the context of the Hausa language. Naive Bayes emerged as the top-performing algorithm, demonstrating exceptional precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy. Logistic Regression also showcased commendable performance, while SVM exhibited competitive metrics but with limitations in recall. Furthermore, the study highlighted the significant impact of effective preprocessing techniques in optimizing the models' effectiveness. Tailored preprocessing strategies, such as TF-IDF transformation and SMOTE for class imbalance, played a crucial role in enhancing recall and overall accuracy. However, it is essential to acknowledge that cyberbullying is a multifaceted issue influenced by cultural, contextual, and technological factors. Therefore, future research endeavors should explore advanced techniques, such as deep learning and cross-lingual approaches, to further enhance cyberbullying detection frameworks.

SOIL BULK DENSITY AND GROWTH OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AS INFLUENCED BY COMPOST AND/ OR BIOCHAR IN ALFISOLS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:15+00:00

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RANDOM FOREST AND ADABOOST LEARNING MODELS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF ATTACKS IN INTERNET OF THINGS

2024-07-02T04:45:56+00:00

Attacks are actions that attempt to break one of the following properties of the computer system: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The immense increment in the amount of internet applications and the appearance of modern networks has created the need for improved security mechanisms. Internet of Things (IoT) is a system that uses the Internet to facilitate communication between sensors and devices. Several approaches have been used to build attacks detection system in the past. This study built two ensemble models for the classification of attacks using Random Forest and Adaboost algorithms respectively. Feature importance was used for selecting promising attributes from the IoT intrusion dataset. Thereafter, the results of the classification models were evaluated and compared. The models were evaluated based on when feature selection technique was applied and without respectively. For Random Forest-based classification model with feature selection, 99.0% ,0.95,0.88,0.82, were obtained for accuracy, recall, f1-score, and precision respectively while without feature selection 69.0%,0.86,0.76,0.64 were obtained respectively. For Adaboost-based classification model with feature selection 99.0%.0.69,0.61,0.66 were obtained for accuracy, recall, f1-score and precision respectively. Without feature selection the Adaboost model recorded 58.0%,0.58,0.48,0.50 respectively. The results showed that both models achieved high rates with feature selection technique used, with Random Forest performing slightly better, both learning models showed promised performances in classifying attacks in IoT environments. This study concluded that the use of the chosen feature selection method helped improve the performances of the two ensembles in the classification of attacks in the IoT dataset.

FUDMA Journal of Sciences ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE EFFECT OF ACTIVATED CHARCOAL OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA STEM BARK ON ACETIC ACID-INDUCED PAIN IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

2024-07-02T04:46:02+00:00

SEQUENTIAL EXTRACTION OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN THE SOILS OF ABUJA, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:45:57+00:00

Speciation of selected heavy metals in Abuja metropolitan soil samples was investigated using a sequential extraction analytical technique. Flame atomic absorption spectrometer was used for instrumental analysis. Metals were bound in six operational phases, in the sequential extraction method. Pb, Mn and Cd speciate more in exchangeable, As and Ni speciate more in bound to carbonate, Cu and Fe speciate more in bound to Fe-Mn oxide, Cr and Zn speciate more in organically bound while Al speciate more in residual in urban soil samples. In sub-urban samples, Pb and Cd speciate more in exchangeable and bound to Fe-Mn oxide, Cu speciate more in exchangeable, Al speciate more in bound to Fe-Mn oxide, Fe and Al speciate more in residual, Ni and As speciate more in bound to carbonate, Zn speciate more in organically bound and Cr speciate more in exchangeable and organically bound. Asokoro Forest (control) has most of the metals as non-residuals except Al and As which speciate more in residual phase. Sequence of ionic mobility in decreasing order for Abuja urban soils is as follows: Zn>Cu>Fe>Al>Mn>>As>Ni>Cr>Cd>Pb and in sub-urban soil samples is: Zn>Cu>Fe>Al>Mn>>Ni>As>Pb>Cd>Cr. From the results, it can be deduced that Zn is the ion with highest speciation. This portends danger to Abuja metropolis due to Zn phytoxicity which hinders photosynthesis in plants, thereby increasing the amount of CO₂giving rise to global warming. This requires that relevant authorities should enforce reduction of the activities that lead to abundance of Zn in Abuja soils.

PREVALENCE OF ECTO AND ENDO PARASITES OF WHITE CATFISH (AMEIURUS CATUS) IN UKE RIVER, KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

2024-07-02T04:46:17+00:00

In Uke River, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, a six-month research was carried out between January and June 2023 to examine the gills and intestinal helminth and protozoan parasites of White Catfish (Ameiurus catus). A total of 100 fresh Ameiurus catus fish samples of both sexes, were obtained from the fishermen and conveyed to the Zoology laboratory of Nasarawa State University for examination. The fishes were processed and examined using gills, oesophagus, intestine and rectum. Twenty-two (22) out of 100 fishes were found to be infected with helminth and protozoan parasites and a total of 31 parasites were isolated belonging to protozoa (Eimeria spp, Hexamita spp, Protoopalina spp), nematode (Procamallanus spp), trematode (Dactylogyrus spp), Cestode (Diphyllobothrium latum, Bothriocephalus claviceps) taxonomic groups. The findings indicated that Ameiurus catus intestine contained a greater quantity of fish parasites (96%). A nematode (Procamallanus spp.) was found to have the highest prevalence of 45.16%. Although the Chi square results showed no significant difference (p>0.05), the prevalence in Ameiurus catus was greater in female samples (63.64%) compared to male samples (36.36%). Fish weighing between 151-200 g (46.14%) and measuring between 21-30 cm (28.57%) had the highest percentage of parasite infection. Going forward, it is imperative to properly cook Ameiurus catus from the Uke River to prevent the spread of parasites to consumers. Additionally, it is advisable to steer clear of any potential actions that could contribute to the parasite predominance near the water body.

NUTRIENT EVALUATION OF CHARCOAL AND GAS SMOKED CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (BURCHELL, 1822) AND SAROTHERODUN GALILAEUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM BAUCHI RIVER (GUBI DAM)

2024-07-02T04:06:33+00:00

MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY GROWTH OF HIGH-QUALITY InN NANORODS ON Si (111) SUBSTRATE

2024-07-02T04:45:55+00:00

The growth of high-quality InN nanorods (NRs) on Si (111) by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE) is reported. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy investigations indicates that the NRs are wurtzite, c-axis oriented and single crystalline. Low temperature photoluminescence emissions with peak energy of ~ 0.75eV was observed indicating the high quality of the nanostructures. This study unravels a novel strategy for the successful growth of high-quality InN NRs on Silicon which is highly promising for applications in next generation nanodevices.

MANAGEMENT OF INFLAMMATION AND LIVER DAMAGES WITH ALLIGATOR PEPPER FRUIT SUPPLEMENTS IN RATS FED HIGH-FAT DIET

2024-07-02T04:46:17+00:00

A REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SERVERLESS COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY

2024-07-02T04:46:06+00:00

The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound effect on technology in general, and serverless computing is no exception. Covid-19 pandemic has shaped the field of serverless computing, and how technology has evolved in response. Serverless computing technology have been adapted to meet the need for remote working, and how the technology has changed in terms of scalability and cost-effectiveness. This pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of daily life as significant measures are being taken to limit the spread of the virus. The pandemic has changed not only the way companies operate, but also the way they have been able to survive. Studies indicate increased requests for cloud services ranging from resident users, particularly for telecommuting, entertainment, commerce, to education, and as a result, causing traffic shifts at the core of the Internet. Covid-19 had such a significant impact on cloud services that there is an unprecedented amount of demand for cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. This study used data from a variety of sources to analyse the impact of serverless computing during the pandemic and to justify its significance for a pandemic-affected business. It also reviewed the pre-Covid, Covid and post-Covid-19 era. Two survey reports were used in this study and the effect of Covid-19 on Serverless computing. This paper emphasizes the benefits and adoption of Serverless computing during the pandemic, in contrast to other studies that concentrated on the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the cloud computing environment.

ADVANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS IN PM2.5 MONITORING: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

2024-07-02T04:46:13+00:00

This comprehensive review examines the evolving landscape of PM_2.5 monitoring, emphasizing its critical role in environmental chemistry, public health and electrical/electronic engineering. Traditional methods, including manual sampling, gravimetric analysis, and the Federal Reference Method (FRM), have long been relied upon for PM_2.5 measurement but are hindered by limitations in spatial coverage, temporal resolution, and cost. In response, emerging technologies such as wireless sensor networks, low-cost sensor technologies, remote sensing techniques, and machine learning algorithms offer promising solutions to overcome these challenges. Through an analysis of case studies and applications in various environmental settings, including urban areas, industrial zones, and indoor environments, the review highlights the effectiveness of monitoring networks in enhancing spatial and temporal resolution, as well as the need for community engagement and real-time monitoring solutions. Furthermore, technological innovations such as sensor fusion, data analytics, and artificial intelligence hold great promise for improving the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of PM_2.5monitoring data. Regulatory agencies and policymakers play a crucial role in advancing PM_2.5monitoring by harmonizing monitoring standards, strengthening quality assurance measures, and developing evidence-based regulations to mitigate air pollution and protect public health. In conclusion, international cooperation and collaboration are essential for addressing transboundary air pollution and global environmental challenges. Regional monitoring networks and international agreements provide frameworks for data sharing, standardization of monitoring practices, and collaborative research efforts. To this end, stakeholders can leverage PM_2.5monitoring by adopting new technologies, improving data quality, and supporting evidence-based actions to safeguard public health, the environment, and sustainability

APPLICATION OF ALGORITHMS FOR ANOMALY DETECTION IN HEALTH-ENABLED SENSOR-CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE

2024-07-02T04:45:49+00:00

Real-time patient monitoring and early disease diagnosis are two ways that the healthcare industry is benefiting from the integration of sensors and cloud technology. In order to detect changes in patient's health, a variety of non-invasive sensors are applied to the skin to monitor various physiological parameters. The collected data are then wirelessly communicated to the cloud data center. However, the transmitted data are susceptible to several sources of interference called anomalies. Anomalies is when a sudden change occurs from the expected sensor data generated. This may be as a result of sensor faults, measurement faults, injection and alteration by malicious attackers. Therefore, this research tends to conduct a survey on existing algorithms or techniques used for the detection of anomalies in health-enabled sensor-cloud infrastructure. The processes adopted by the algorithms were identified and discussed exhaustively. In addition, the simulation setup and programming languages adopted to implement and evaluate the existing algorithms, followed by the limitations of the algorithms, which may lead to future research directions are captured in this paper. The outcome of the research shows that machine learning algorithms were predominantly adopted for detecting anomalies with the support of clustering and classification processes. Furthermore, Visual Basic.Net simulation tool and Python programming language was mostly adopted for experimentation and evaluation of the existing techniques. Limitations such as overfitting, under-fitting, computation complexity (time and memory space), and missing data are hindering the optimal performance of existing algorithm, which needs to be addressed in future researches.