FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

THE IMPACT OF 2018 EARTH TREMORS ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Ogugua P. Ezisi — 2024-11-15

The impact of 2018 earth tremors on groundwater quality in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Twenty water samples were collected from five locations within the study area: Mpape, Maitama, Gwarinpa, Jahi, Wuse. The methods used in the study included data collection, and data analysis. One and a half EVA cans were used to collect each water sample, ensuring that the equipment was sterilized and samples were properly preserved for analysis. Seismographs were used to measure and record the earthquakes that occurred in 2018. The results showed heavy metal concentrations of Pb (0.013 – 0.050 mg/l; WHO limit 0.01 mg/l), Cd (0.113 – 0.170 mg/l; WHO limit 0.003 mg/l), Hg (0.001 – 0.609 mg/l; WHO limit 0.006 mg/l), Cr (0.001 – 0.065 mg/l; WHO limit 0.05 mg/l), and As (0.016 – 0.064 mg/l; WHO limit 0.01 mg/l respectively, which are slightly higher than the permissible limits set by WHO. Drinking from these water sources poses significant health risks to the people in the study areas. However, the study helps to identify potential high-risk areas and their likely impact on water quality parameters. The findings will support the development of response and mitigation strategies to protect groundwater resources from contamination caused by seismic activity. In conclusion, the concentrations of heavy metals exceeded the limit approved by WHO.

PROXIMATE AND FUEL PROPERTIES OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN PULP AND CASSAVA STARCH FLOUR BINDERS FOR FUEL BRIQUETTE PRODUCTION

Surajo Namadi — 2024-11-15

The study investigates the proximate and combustion properties of affordable and locally available briquette binders, namely: African locust bean pulp and cassava starch (flour) using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods. The findings indicate varying levels of moisture content (4.55% to 6.89%), volatile matter (30.06% to 64.21%), ash content (0.93% to 23.36%), and fixed carbon (7.89% to 62.12%). Elemental composition of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen range from 34.24% to 53.25%, 4.39% to 5.09%, and 32.96% to 33.19%, respectively. The calorific values obtained in the study are 16.85±0.48 MJ/kg for African locust bean pulp and 20.69±0.34 MJ/kg for cassava starch flour. Both binders exhibit properties conducive to producing high-quality briquettes capable of generating sufficient heat for household and small-scale industrial settings.

EVALUATION OF DEPREDATION ACTIVITIES OF RODENT PEST ON MAIZE CULTIVATED IN SASA-AJIBODE FARM, IBADAN, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Hafiz Ayinde Badmus — 2024-11-15

Maize is a staple crop that is cultivated across different agro-ecologies in Nigeria. Maize adaptability and high yield potential, as well as its utility as a food, feed, and forage crop, clearly shows its significance. However, pests like rodent species remain an age-long challenge to its production by causing economic losses and low income for farmers. The study was carried out in Sasa – Ajibode farm. Systematic method of sampling was employed to observe and gather data in the study site. Quantitative data were collected by counting the number of damaged vegetative parts of the maize plant while qualitative data were collected by scoring observable damage signs on the maize. The result of the study revealed no observable signs of damage during the pre-flowering and post-flowering stages of maize cultivation in the study site during the dry and wet season in 2021. However, depredation activities of Ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus) by seed removal were observed during the sowing stage in the wet season. It can be concluded that rodent pest infestation is not the main threat to maize cultivation in the study site. However, environmentally-safe rodent management strategies should be adopted in the study area.

STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF CEMENT STABILIZED CLAY SOIL WITH EPS FOOD PACK WASTE

Auwal Dauda — 2024-11-16

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of EPS on geotechnical properties of soil through laboratory test and ANOVA analysis. These tests have been conducted on natural and stabilized soils in accordance with procedure outlined in BS1377 (1990). Four fibre contents (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) of the dry soil weight and three fibre size (random size, 20 mm x 2mm size and 20 mm x 5 mm) were used. The tests conducted included particle distribution, specific gravity, Atterberg limits, the standard compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS). The laboratory result classifies the soil as A-7-6 (17) according to American Association of States Highway and Transport Officials (AASHTO) classification system and Clay soil of Low plasticity (CL) in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The Specific gravity decreases from 2.7 to 2.1. MDD results also shows a decrease with increase of EPS waste fibre from 1.46Mg/m³ to 1.32Mg/m³for British Light compaction and from 1.61Mg/m³ to 1.47Mg/m³for British Heavy. The CBR result shows an improvement from 5.33% to a maximum value of 10.5% at 1% EPS waste fibre for unsoaked CBR and from 2.86% to a maximum of 7.73% at 0.5% EPS waste fibre for soaked CBR. The UCS result shows an improvement at 28 days from 2410 kN/m² of Natural soil to a maximum of 5593kN/m² at 0.5% EPS waste fibre. Based on the laboratory experimental result it was suggested that the EPS waste fibre of 0.5% dosage can be...

DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION IN DELTA STATE AND ITS CYBER SECURITY IMPLICATIONS: A POST COVID-19 ASSESSMENT

Abugor Ejaita Okpako — 2024-11-17

Technology is everywhere and it’s changing the way things work, hence it is disruptive depending on its application and context. Disruptive technology introduces new markets and modifies existing ones, providing end users with better access, convenience, empowerment, choice, and value as well as competing with established models and practically transforming products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to remote learning and the adoption of disruptive technologies in educational institutions worldwide, including Nigeria. Despite this, there is limited evidence investigating how different disruptive technologies and configurations associate with cyber security within the educational sector. This research work examines the association of disruptive technology and cyber security implications in the Delta State educational system during the post COVID 19 pandemic period. A cross sectional approach was used for data collection through questionnaires where 55 responses out of 80 respondents from some selected schools in Delta State were used. The results confirm some cyber threats on using disruptive technology in e-learning as phishing and identity theft. The respondent’s level of online satisfaction, cyber security awareness and performance was significantly associated with various independent variables such as e-learning platforms, online interaction, and privacy concerns. An understanding of these relationships will help educators and other stakeholders to prioritize legislation and regulations that will address such developments. The aim should not to over-regulate and consequently strangle them, but to envisage change, prepare for it, and set up appropriate regulatory frameworks to ensure societal balance.

INTERACTION BETWEEN ADIPOSE TISSUE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE REGULATION OF BODY WEIGHT: A CONCEPTUAL NARRATIVE REVIEW

Musa A. Bashir — 2024-11-15

The modern obesity pandemic is characterized by difficulty in achieving and maintaining weight loss. This suggests the existence of a physiological control mechanism to maintain body mass. However, this same mechanism did not prevent obesity pandemic. The aim of this review is to explain this conundrum. Online searches of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus were conducted. The main variable under physiological control is not a fixed body/fat mass but balance between energy intake and expenditure. The expenditure includes resting metabolic rate, physical activity related energy expenditure and thermic effect of food. Increased energy expenditure triggers increased energy intake to match expenditure levels and counters any weight loss. This matching of energy input and output can happen at any body/fat mass. In other words, body/fat mass can settle at any level with energy intake matched to expenditure; the so-called settling point mechanism. The particular body/fat mass settling point is determined by the availability of energy and degree of expenditure enabled by the environment. The modern environment with abundance of nutrients and motorized work has been termed obesogenic environment. It facilitates higher body mass and hence increased resting metabolic rate energy expenditure to support the increased body mass; this triggers more energy intake and thus more mass gain in a positive feedback vicious cycle. In conclusion, shifting emphasis away from body mass control to energy balance allows one to explain both the modern obesity pandemic as well as why it is so difficult to achieve and maintain weight loss.