The FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality original research papers, review articles, technical reports, and short communications. The journal covers all aspects of Science and Technology, with a broad scope that includes, but is not limited to: • Chemistry • Physics • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences • Biological Sciences (Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Zoology, etc.) • Medical Sciences • Pharmaceutical Sciences • Environmental Science • Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering • Mathematics and Statistics • Materials Science, Mechanics, and Polymer Sciences • Nutrition and Food Science • Textile Sciences • Renewable Energy • Biotechnology, Genetics, and Bioinformatics • Geology and Geosciences • Process Modelling, Computational Analysis, and Waste-to-Resource Processes The journal provides a multidisciplinary platform for researchers, academics, and professionals to disseminate cutting-edge scientific knowledge and technological innovations that address contemporary challenges locally, nationally, and globally.
Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State - Nigeria
Morpho-Physiological and Yield Response of Capsicum frutescensL and Capsicum annuumL to Nickel (II) Chloride Stress in Loamy and Sandy Soils
Nickel (II) Chloride (NiCl2) contamination threatens pepper production by impairing growth metabolism. Yet information on species responses in different soils is limited. This study evaluated the vegetative growth, yield, biomass, and morphological responses of Capsicum frutescens (C. frutescens) and Capsicum annuum (C. annuum) exposed to NiCl₂ in loamy and sandy soils. A completely randomized design comprising 72 pots with six replicates was used. After direct sowing failed under NiCl₂, 20-day-old nursery seedlings were transplanted and treated with cumulative applications of 0, 100, or 250 ppm NiCl₂. Data collected up to 3 months after planting (MAP) were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (P ≤ 0.05). At 3 MAP, loamy soil consistently outperformed sandy soil. C. frutescens attained the greatest plant height (45.73 cm) at 100 ppm in loamy soil, whereas C. annuum declined with increasing Ni concentration. Control C. frutescens produced the highest leaves (75.25), branches (9.00), flowers (29.17), fruits (26.17), chlorophyll (4.96), shoot fresh weight (20.83 g), and root fresh weight (6.99 g). Sandy soil markedly reduced growth, with maximum plant heights of 18.37 cm (C. frutescens) and 6.30 cm (C. annuum). Reduced chlorophyll, biomass, and yield under NiCl2 stress were attributed to disrupted nutrient uptake, and inhibited photosynthesis. Morphological observations confirmed vigorous growth of C. frutescens in loamy soil but chlorosis and stunting of C. annuum, especially in sandy soil. In general, loamy soil reduced nickel toxicity, while C. frutescens exhibited greater tolerance than C. annuum.
Copyright (c) 2026 Uyoyou Akporobaro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessment of Outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation of University Teaching Hospital (UPTH) of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Outdoor background ionizing radiation refers to the radiation dose from natural and artificial sources in the environment that we are exposed to at all time when we are outside. The assessment of back ionizing radiation of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Rivers State has been carried out using a well calibrated radiation meter. Ten (10) location within the Teaching Hospital (UPTH) was considered for the purpose of the study. The result of BIR varies from0.011 mR/h to 0.019 mR/h with mean of 0.015mR/h, absorbed dose varies from 0.964 to 1.594nGy/h with mean of 116.71 nGy/hr, Annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) varies from 0.149 to 0.319 mSv/yr with mean of 0.20 mSv/yr while excess life cancer risk (ELCR) varies from 0.523 to 1.117x10-3 with a mean of 0.70 x10-3. The obtained mean is higher than the stipulated standard of 0.29 x10-3. The radiation percentage is of an increasing order of Liver, Ovaries, kidney, Lung, Whole body, Bone marrow, and the Testes. The higher percentage of radiation was obtained in the testes with eighteen percentages, while the lower percentage was obtained in the Liver with ten percentages. The results showed that the mean background ionizing radiation and absorbed dose rates were higher than the recommended world average values prescribed by UNSCEAR (2020), indicating enhanced radiation levels within some parts of the hospital environment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Egheneji Anthony, Abayiga Abel Nwii https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Method for Improved Oil Spill Management
Environmental project decision-making is often complex due to trade-offs among socio-political, ecological, environmental, and economic factors. In oil spill management and contaminated site remediation, these decisions are further complicated by regulatory frameworks and additional criteria such as; cost-benefit distribution, safety, ecological risks, and human values. This study applied Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to optimize oil spill management in Delta State, Nigeria. Stakeholders were surveyed, and both offshore and onshore oil facilities were identified. Criteria and alternatives were developed and integrated into matrices scored from 0 to 100% across key factors, including environmental, technological, economic, and socio-political dimensions. Using Intelligent Decision System software, weights were assigned to reflect the relative importance of each criterion. Results showed a 68% preference for dispersant use in deep offshore areas, 73% for containment and recovery near sensitive shorelines, and 63% for similar methods farther from shore. For tier 3 oil spills, dispersant use was rated highest at 81%. This approach decomposed a complex problem into analyzable units and produced a stakeholder-informed decision template for oil spill response in Delta State. The template serves as a data-driven tool for policymakers and regulators, supports community awareness, and provides cost-saving opportunities for oil operators through pre-positioning of response equipment. This research broadens the practical use of MCDA in environmental management and offers a scalable model that can be replicated in other oil-producing states. With refinement, it holds the potential to contribute to a national oil spill response reference manual for Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2026 Uju Chinyere Ucheoma, Mohammed Evuti Abdullahi, Meriam Aladeitan Yetunde, Abdurrahman Abdulwasiu, Olanrewaju Kamiludeen, Zakari Abdullahi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Some Owned Dogs in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs in Lokoja, North central Nigeria, found significant rate of infection. Three hundred (300) faecal samples were collected from the owned dogs from Lokoja Metropolis. The dogs were grouped in exotic and local breeds. The samples collected were diagnosed under microscope for the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the study location, using floatation and sedimentation techniques. The 300 samples diagnosed, showed 46.67% infected with either one or more gastrointestinal parasites. The result showed Felele 46(62.16) had the highest prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites as observed in the various study locations. In relation to season, the result showed more prevalence in the rainy season 133(42.90) as compared to dry season 110(35.48).The younger dogs 142(47.33)proved to have the highest infection rate as compared to the adult dogs 22(7.33) and this could be attributed to low immune system compared to adult dogs that have acquired impunity due to their previous exposure. The result showed statistically significant difference among all the intrinsic and extrinsic factors under consideration P<0.05).The parasites identified were Echinococcus spp, Ancylostoma spp, Coccidia, Taenia spp, Fasciola spp, and Ascaris spp. Generally gastrointestinal parasites are highly prevalent in the study area, which highlights the importance of this research that will provide a baseline to implement policies that will reduce spreading of these diseases among the dogs and other animals within the study area. There is need for mass education, on the importance of monthly deworming, and the danger associated raw meat feeding, offals feeding
Copyright (c) 2026 Victoria Kayode, Patrick Amedu Audu, Jacob Sule Ngwamah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Aqueous Wood Extracts of Azadirachta Indica and Parkia Biglobosa on the Haematological Profile of Mus Musculus
Traditional ethnomedicine often utilizes non-timber plant derivatives like wood ash, yet their long-term toxicological boundaries remain largely uncharacterized. This study evaluated the subchronic (90-day) and chronic (180-day) hematological impacts of aqueous wood-ash extracts from Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa using a murine model. Male Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 10/group) and orally administered distilled water (control) and varying concentrations (5, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight) of A. indica and P. biglobosa extract daily. Comprehensive hematological profiles were analyzed via retro-orbital phlebotomy at days 90 and 180. Subchronic exposure to both extracts significantly (P < 0.05) increased packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (HGB) at 100 mg/kg, accompanied by localized leukocyte alterations. Particularly, chronic 180-day exposure induced a pronounced, dose-dependent polycythemic effect across all treatment cohorts, marked by marked elevations in red blood cell (RBC) counts, PCV, and HGB, alongside shifted erythrocyte indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC). Conversely, chronic administration of both extracts caused significant, severe thrombocytopenia (P < 0.05). Furthermore, P. biglobosa induced systemic, persistent leukopenia (3.40±0.06 X 103 / μL vs. 4.53±0.15 X 103 / μL in controls), whereas high-dose A. indica stimulated leukopoiesis. Although both wood-ash extracts possess potent erythropoietic-stimulating activities likely mediated by antioxidant phytocompounds, their chronic administration triggers critical systemic hematotoxicity characterized by thrombocytopenia and line-specific leukocyte suppression. These findings establish strict safety thresholds and caution against unregulated, long-term therapeutic consumption of these ethnomedicinal preparations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Esther Samuel Danjuma, Ubi Ebri Ubi, Timothy Zagwai Auta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Determination of the Iron Content of the Muscle and Organ Meats from a Cow Carcass
Iron is an essential micronutrient for all animal species, and its deficiency causes fatigue, poor growth, impaired cognition, and anaemia. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that anaemia affects approximately 30% of the global population, with iron deficiency as the primary cause. This work sought to provide data on the protein, iron and moisture content of the muscle and organ meats of a cow carcass, using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to determine non-haem iron and spectrophotometry to determine haem iron. Results showed that the lungs exhibited the highest moisture content (83.91 ± 1.37 %) while the spleen had the lowest (73.79 ± 2.24 %), with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Muscle meat exhibited the highest crude protein (18.63 ± 1.06 %), followed by spleen (18.51 ± 0.91 %) and liver (17.26 ± 0.73 %); kidney demonstrated the lowest (13.99 ± 1.09 %), with lungs and heart showing similarly low levels (p>0.05). The spleen had the highest haem iron (247.53 ± 5.91 µg haematin/g meat) and non-haem iron (586.07 ± 22.31 mg/kg), with significant differences (p<0.05). The heart demonstrated the lowest haem iron (128.95 ± 8.10 µg haematin/g meat), closely followed by lungs (132.61 ± 4.16 µg haematin/g meat), with no significant difference (p>0.05), while the kidney had the lowest non-haem iron (117.87 ± 6.96 mg/kg), (p<0.05). Conclusively, both muscle and organ meats (liver, spleen) are rich in protein, while iron contents were higher in the organs (spleen, liver), with the spleen being significantly (p<0.05) higher.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ijeoma Okolo, Muhammad S. Shehu, Adeyemi O. Owolabi, Nasihatu Abubakar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Acetone Extract of Turmeric (CURCUMA LONGA) Attenuates Inflammation, Dyslipidemia, and Hepatorenal Dysfunction in Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycemia, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and organ dysfunction. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and hepatorenal protective effects of acetone extract of Turmeric in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6): normal control, diabetic control, turmeric-treated groups (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight), and metformin-treated group (500 mg/kg). Type 2 diabetes was induced using 10% fructose administration for 14 days followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6), glucose tolerance, lipid profile, and liver and kidney function parameters. Data obtained were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and results were considered significant at P < 0.05. Diabetic control rats showed significant elevations in fasting blood glucose, TNF-α, IL-6, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, ALT, AST, ALP, urea, and creatinine levels, with a concomitant reduction in HDL-C and glucose clearance ability compared to the normal control group. Treatment with turmeric extract significantly ameliorated these alterations. The 100 mg/kg dose produced greater improvement in lipid profile and reduction in atherogenic indices, while the 200 mg/kg dose demonstrated stronger hepatoprotective effects through greater reductions in liver enzyme activities. These findings suggest that acetone extract of Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatorenal protective properties, supporting its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in the management of T2DM and its associated complications.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hauwa'u Yakubu Bako, Agboola Omolara Irene, Bilkisu Mohammed Ladan, Zainab Kasim Mohammed, Richard Auta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Phytoremediation Potential of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) For Barium (Ba) Uptake Under a Hydroponic System
This research examined how Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) responds physiologically, biochemically, and through phytoremediation to barium (Ba) stress in a controlled hydroponic environment. Various metrics were assessed, including seed germination rates, growth factors like root and shoot height, levels of photosynthetic pigments, phytohormones, markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant defenses, and metal accumulation at concentrations of 0 (control), 100, 200, and 300 ppm Ba, using a fully randomized design. The presence of barium significantly reduced the seed germination rate, germination energy, and vigor index by 28.57–60.78%, 30.00–79.00%, and 86.67–88.10%, respectively, compared to the control group. At 300 ppm Ba, both shoot and root lengths decreased by more than 60%, alongside a reduction of over 65% in fresh and dry biomass. The levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and SPAD values were markedly lower, with chlorophyll a decreasing by as much as 5.08 times at 300 ppm Ba. Additionally, the concentrations of auxin (IAA) and gibberellic acid dropped by 1.59–3.83-fold and 1.87–3.38-fold, respectively. Ba caused oxidative stress, raising malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels by up to 75.75% and 39.07%, respectively, while the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX) significantly increased, with SOD activity surging over 24 times at 300 ppm. The bioaccumulation study indicated higher Ba retention in the roots (BAF > 1) but low translocation factors (< 0.5), suggesting a potential for phytostabilization.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sani Shuaibu Kafin Hausa, Zainab Saleh Maigana, Dannene Abubakar Tukur, Abdulhadi Yakubu, Abubakar Yusuf Abubakar, Usman Yusuf Bello https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Optimising Vine Growth, Marketable Tuber Yield, and Biomass Production of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Through Tillage and Fertilizer Management in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria
Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) are widely promoted in sub-Saharan Africa to improve vitamin A intake. However, production is constrained by poor soil fertility and tillage practices in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This research determined the combined effects of three tillage practices (mound, ridge and flat-bed) and four fertilizer treatments (NPK 20: 10:10 at 200 kg/ ha; poultry manure at 5 t/ha, urea at 200 kg/ha and unfertilized control) on growth, yield and pest incidence of OFSP cultivar Mother’s Delight during the 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons at University of Abuja Teaching and Research Farm on factorial combination of 3 x 4 in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Tillage combined with NPK fertiliser application increased vine length (233.7 cm), leaf number (174.1), and fresh biomass yield (9.4 kg/plot) by 76%, 86%, and 62%, respectively, over the control. Root yield was highest in mound tillage (29.4 t/ha), while the maximum storage root yield of 38.5 t/ha was obtained from the mound–NPK interaction, representing a 92% improvement over the flat-bed control treatment. Application of poultry manure shifted soil pH (4.6–6.7) and increased cation exchange capacity (CEC) to 3.78 cmol/kg, indicating improved soil fertility. However, the incidence of Cylas weevil infection was increased by 84% with the use of NPK fertilizer. Fresh biomass had a positive correlation with marketable roots (r = 0.971, r = 0.900, respectively). Mound tillage coupled with the application of NPK fertilizer would increase OFSP yield significantly.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nicholas Eronmonsele Ilozobhie, Daniel Osabhie Aihebhoria, Franklin Adekunle Awojemila, Mohammed Baba-Nitsa, Bilqis Ejura Usman, Glory Ephraim Akpan, Promise Andrew Azzuwut, Cynthia Oluchi Okoro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Spatio-temporal Assessment of Desert Encroachment in Maigatari Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria, Using Ndvi-Base Change Detection (2005-2025)
Desert encroachment poses a critical threat to dryland ecosystems and rural livelihoods in the Sudano-Sahelian region of northern Nigeria. This study assesses the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation change and desertification intensity in Maigatari Local Government Area (LGA), Jigawa State, between 2005 and 2025. Using multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery (Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 8 OLI, and Landsat 9 OLI), the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was computed and classified into three land cover categories: bare land, sparse vegetation, and moderate vegetation. Change detection analysis was performed to quantify transitions across two decadal intervals (2005–2015 and 2015–2025). Results reveal a substantial expansion of bare land from 0.0032 km² (0.0013%) in 2005 to 67.06 km² (26.21%) in 2015, representing an 80% increase, indicating accelerated degradation during the first decade. Sparse vegetation declined sharply from 97.66% to 45.06% over the same period. Between 2015 and 2025, bare land continued to expand to 74.70 km² (29.21%), while moderate vegetation increased locally from 28.72% to 38.59%, suggesting partial recovery in isolated areas. The overall trajectory, however, confirms progressive desert encroachment with net vegetation loss. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated land management strategies, including sustainable grazing, agroforestry, and farmer-managed natural regeneration. This study demonstrates the efficacy of NDVI-based change detection within a GIS framework as a tool for evidence-based environmental planning and desertification monitoring in semi-arid regions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sadiq Ahmed, Abdulmajid Abubakar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Seroprevalence and Influences of Echinococcus granulosus infection among owned dogs in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Human beings acquire cystic echinococcosis via fortuitous ingestion of Echinococcus granulosus (EG) eggs introduced into the surrounding by infected dogs. This research aimed to find out the presence of EG antibodies and the influencing factors responsible for their prevalence in owned dogs in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. Serum was extracted from the whole blood collected from 225 dogs within Lokoja metropolis were analyzed by indirect ELISA. The data on the demography, environmental factors and management of the dogs was obtained through a questionnaire administered to owners. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and logistic regression at α 0.05. The seroprevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection was found to be 16.44% (37/225). Significant risk factors associated with seropositivity included poor educational background of dog owners [Odd Ratio (OR): 2.87; 95% CI: 1.44–5.99], native dog breeds (OR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.96–6.72), range management system (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.17–2.80), and deworming status, with dogs that were either inadequately dewormed or never dewormed showing increased risk (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.13–2.64). Our findings indicate that local breeds generally receive less care compared to exotic breeds, and the absence of proper deworming practices constitutes a major driver of transmission. These factors may serve as predictors of E. granulosus seropositivity in the study area. Our study provides evidence of E.gronulosus infection in owned dogs, especially in those medicated by owners. Deworming practices should be based on the recommendations of a veterinarian to effectively prevent EG transmission from dogs to humans.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jacob Ngwamah, Simon Wilson Barguma, An’aaticha Mathias, Kefas Babale Shitta, Mohammed Nusirudeen Suleiman, Grace O. AboveGodwin, Joy Cecilia Atawodi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Comparing Gamma, Weibull and Cauchy Distributions Using Information Criteria and Its Application to Heights of Akwa Ibom State University Students
In this paper, we compare the gamma, Weibull and Cauchy distributions using the log-likelihood function, Akaike’s and Bayesian information Criteria for the heights of Akwa Ibom State University Students. The heights of 617 students were obtained from the medical centre of the Akwa Ibom State University, Main Campus, Ikot Akpaden. The parameters of the gamma, Weibull and Cauchy are estimated using maximum likelihood method and applied to the dataset. We observed that the gamma distribution had the lowest Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria of -1347.098 and -1338.248 and the highest log-likelihood values of 675.5489 for the heights of students. The Weibull distribution has AIC of -1297.28 and BIC of -1288.43 and lastly the Cauchy distribution with AIC of -1156.167 and -1147.317, the model with the lowest information criteria is the best. From the result, the gamma distribution is a better fit for the heights of students than the Weibull and Cauchy distributions. The density plots for the gamma, Weibull and Cauchy showed a slight disparity and look like that of a bell-shape curve. The R codes are given for implementation.
Mathematical, Computer & Statistical Sciences
Copyright (c) 2026 Michael T. Itoro, Bassey B. Joseph, Ekong O. Akaninyene https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Socio-demographic Profile, Livelihood Structure, and Anthropogenic Activity Patterns of Riparian Communities along the River Benue Basin, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Freshwater ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa face escalating anthropogenic pressures from population growth, agricultural intensification, and unregulated artisanal activities, yet community-level baseline data remain scarce for most Nigerian river basins. This study characterises the socio-demographic profile, livelihood structure, and anthropogenic activity patterns of riparian communities along the River Benue Basin, Adamawa State, Nigeria, and examines the relationship between educational attainment and persistent environmental degradation. A stratified random sampling design was used to administer structured questionnaires to 1,093 respondents across three locations — Boronji (Yola North LGA), Dasin Hausa (Fufore LGA), and Njoboliyo (Yola South LGA) — during the dry (February–April 2025) and rainy (June–August 2025) seasons, from 1,200 administered (91.1% response rate). Data were analysed descriptively using SPSS v25.0. Male respondents predominated across all sites (58.50–67.57%), with the 31–45-year cohort modal (34.05–35.16%). Secondary and tertiary education combined accounted for 67.97–71.42% of respondents, exceeding rural north-eastern Nigerian averages. Farming was the dominant occupation (33.70–36.22%), followed by trading (22.16–23.96%), artisanal work (16.21–17.27%), and civil service (14.05–16.21%). Over half of respondents (49.73–51.92%) had resided locally for more than 20 years. Five principal anthropogenic activities were identified: domestic waste disposal into the river, fertiliser/pesticide use, artisanal sand mining, fishing, and construction. Despite high educational attainment, degradation persists, reflecting a knowledge–action gap driven by regulatory weakness and lack of viable livelihood alternatives. These findings establish the first integrated community-level baseline dataset for this reach of the River Benue, providing an evidence base for community-responsive environmental management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aminu Abdulazeez Maulud, Tizhe Kwaga, Callistus Akosim, Nuru Zakari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Unsteady Darcy-Brinkman Axial Flow in a Porous Concentric Annulus: A Semi-Analytical Riemann-Sum Approach
An unsteady pressure-driven axial flow in a saturated porous concentric annulus is investigated through a semi-analytical Laplace-transform and Riemann-sum framework. The incompressible Newtonian flow is formulated with Brinkman-Darcy resistance, no-slip walls, and a suddenly imposed constant axial pressure gradient. The initial-boundary-value problem reduces, after non-dimensionalization and Laplace transformation, to a modified Bessel equation; closed-form expressions are obtained for the transformed transient velocity, the steady velocity, and the inner- and outer-wall skin frictions. The transient fields are recovered by a rapidly convergent Riemann-sum inversion and are validated against the steady-state solution. The results show that the Darcy number strongly amplifies axial motion and wall shear by weakening porous drag, whereas the radius ratio controls the distribution and sign of the shear response. The velocity grows monotonically from rest toward a single-hump annular profile, while the wall shear is positive at the inner cylinder and negative at the outer cylinder under the adopted radial-derivative convention. Excellent agreement between the Riemann-sum solution and the steady limit confirms the accuracy of the semi-analytical formulation. The model provides a compact benchmark for transient porous annular transport and wall-shear prediction in coaxial engineering systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jibrin Danjuma Yahaya, Abraham Ayegba Alfa, Muhammed Raji, Momohjimoh Abdulsalami https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Influence of Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Attitude of People towards Mental Health Disorders at Abuja Municipal Area Council
Mental health disorders represent a growing global public health burden, with Low- and Middle-Income Countries bearing a disproportionate share. In Nigeria, an estimated 20–30% of the population live with some form of mental health disorder. The study aims to determine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on attitude of people towards mental health disorders at AMC. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among 640 adult residents of AMAC aged ≥ 18 years, recruited through multistage sampling. A structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire covering mental health awareness, cultural and religious beliefs, attitudes, stigma, and help-seeking intentions was administered. Data were analysed using SPSS with descriptive and inferential statistics; significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean age of respondents was 51.1 years (SD = 19.1), with a slight female majority (51.6%) and 52.6% having tertiary education. Based on the result, the scores in gender (female: 6.00; male: 5.95) as well as the education levels (primary: 6.15; secondary: 6.00; tertiary: 5.92) and ages showed no statistically significant differences (gender: kh2 = 0.10, p = 0.75; education: kh2 = 1.98, p = 0.37; age: F = 0.26, p = 0.91). In a similar fashion, the scores of attitudes did not differ significantly among all demographic groups, with values that were closed around 0.16 and 0.00. These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health literacy programmes, strategic engagement with religious leaders, and structural interventions to reduce the financial cost of formal mental health services in AMAC.
Copyright (c) 2026 Bilal Bashir Dausayi, Umar Lawal Bello, Amina Sulaiman Rajah, Mahmood, Abdulrahman Chiroma, Damian Declan, Dike Franklin Ugochukwu, Dike Sophia Oshiorenoya, Daya Aminu Saidu, Ogechi David Eze https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing Hausa Words Lemmatization Through Feature Engineering
Hausa is spoken by over 50 million people across Africa, yet it remains critically under-resourced in natural language processing (NLP), particularly for lemmatization. The language’s rich morphology characterized by agglutination, internal vowel alternation, and extensive affixation poses significant challenges for existing rule-based and conventional machine learning approaches. This study addresses this gap by developing and evaluating supervised machine learning models for Hausa word lemmatization. We constructed a manually annotated dataset comprising 4,530 unique word-lemma pairs extracted from diverse media sources, achieving a high Inter-Annotator Agreement of 91.10%. Two baseline algorithms, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest, were trained and optimized using GridSearchCV on an 80/20 train-test split. The study introduces an enhanced feature engineering framework that integrates phonological attributes, morphological markers, syllable counts, gemination flags, and extended character n-grams (1-5) alongside traditional surface-level features. Experimental results demonstrate that the Random Forest classifier consistently outperforms SVM. When paired with the enhanced feature set, Random Forest achieved the highest performance metrics, recording an accuracy of 64.02% and a weighted F1-score of 0.6134. Feature importance analysis further confirms that linguistically informed attributes significantly improve model generalization and prediction accuracy. These findings underscore the critical role of domain specific feature design in overcoming data scarcity and linguistic complexity. The curated dataset and optimized modeling framework provide a foundational resource to advance downstream Hausa NLP applications, including information retrieval, machine translation, and computational linguistics.
Copyright (c) 2026 Adamu Muhammad, Rasheed Abubakar Rasheed, Muhammad Yusuf Muhammad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EFFECT OF WEED CONTROL TECHNIQUES ON BAMBARA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc) VARIETIES IN SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENT OF NIGERIA
Multi-locational field trials were conducted during the 2021 growing season at Teaching and Research Farm Faculty of Agriculture of BUK and FUDMA to study the herbicidal potentials of Tithonia diversifolia (hemsley) a. gray on weed component of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrenea (l.) verdc) genotypes in Semi-arid zone of Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three (3) Bambara groundnut genotype (Hawayen Zaki, Idon Bazawara and Red) and nine (9) (w1, w2, w3, w4, w5, w6, w7, w8, w9) weed control methods which were factorially combined in three replications, and were laid out in a split plot design with genotypes at the main plot while weed control methods at the sub-plot. The gross plot size consisted of 6 ridges, 0.75 m apart and 3 m long (11.25m2). The net plot contained four (4) inner ridges of 3m long (9 m2), and the last two border rows served as discard. Data on weed parameters were collected and subjected to analysis of variance for Split Plot Design (SPD). F-test was used to test for the level of significance, mean comparison was done using Student Newmans’ Keul (SNK) at P < 0.05, Statistical analysis Software (SAS) version 9.1 was used to analyze the generated data. The findings indicated that the Weed Specie Composition shows Digitaria nuda Schumach was present in the DTM but not in the BUK while Eragrostis tremula Hochst. Ex Steud was present at BUK with a high occurrence level, but was not found at DTM
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Musa, Stephen Mark Shekari, Muhammad Kabir Ladan, Kauthar Kabir https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Salicylaldimine based complexes and their Ascorbic acid ternary Analogues: Synthesis, Characterisation, Antimicrobial Evaluation, Molecular docking and DFT Considerations
This study reports a series of complexes with the general formula [M(A1)2(H2O)2]·nH2O (1 – 4) and [M(A1)(A2)(H2O)2]·nH2O (5 – 8) {where M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; HA1 = (E)-2-(hydrazineylidenemethyl)phenol and HA2 = ascorbic acid}. The prepared compounds were characterised by 1H nmr, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and electronic spectroscopies as well as magnetic susceptibility measurement. Quantum calculation were carried out using DFT/B3LYP-D3/6-31G** for the ligands and DFT/B3LYP-D3/LACVP** for the complexes. The magnetic moments for the Co(II) {5.06–5.49 B.M} and Ni(II) {3.15–3.16 B.M} complexes suggest octahedral geometry, with orbital contribution. The Cu(II) complexes appear to be octahedral with the homoleptic complex (3) displaying a subnormal value (1.58 B.M). Generally, the complexes showed better antimicrobial activity than the ligands. The mixed ligand complexes showed better activity than respective homoleptic analogue – while the mixed ligand complexes displayed Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in the range 0.125–2.00 mg/mL, the homoleptic complexes displayed MIC in range 0.50–2.00 mg/mL. The Ni(II) mixed ligand complex, 6, recorded the highest (negative) docking scores; -5.667 kcal/mol, -6.614 kcal/mol and -5.542 kcal/mol against E. coli, S. aur and C. alb, respectively – with better scores than ciprofloxacin (-5.379 kcal/mol and -4.183 kcal/mol against E. coli and S. aur, respectively) but lower than ketoconazole (-8.288 kcal/mol against C. alb); 6 also displayed the best global softness (0.6196 eV-1), in comparison to other complexes (except for the spin down {β} variants of compounds 3 and 7 {3β and 7β}). Thus, the prepared compounds are potential antimicrobial agents.
Copyright (c) 2026 Raymond Akong Akong, Desmond Chibuike Mmadu, Samuel Kelechi Anyanwu, Isiaka Mohammed, Joseph Anthony Orighomisan Woods https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Sand Mining Burrow Pits along Kano–Ringim–Hadejia Road, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Sand mining is an important source of construction materials but often results in significant environmental and socio-economic impacts when poorly regulated. This study assessed the effects of sand mining burrow pits along the Kano–Ringim–Hadejia road corridor in Kano and Jigawa States, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the direction of burrow pit expansion relative to roads and farmlands and evaluated the environmental impacts associated with sand mining activities. A descriptive survey and field observational design were adopted. Six active burrow pits were purposively selected, while 353 questionnaires were administered to residents of nearby communities, with 342 valid responses analyzed. Data were collected through field measurements, questionnaires, interviews, direct observation, and photographic documentation, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that burrow pits expanded more towards farmlands than roads, with Ajaura “B” recording the highest farmland encroachment (31.26%). More than half of the respondents (56.14%) reported multiple environmental impacts, including land degradation, vegetation loss, soil erosion, and stagnant water formation, while 71.05% associated sand mining with accidents such as drowning, pit collapse, and truck-related incidents. The study concludes that uncontrolled sand mining has contributed to environmental degradation, loss of agricultural land, and increased public safety risks along the corridor. It recommends stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, rehabilitation of degraded sites, and active community participation to promote sustainable sand mining practices.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aminu Hussaini Ahabbabura, Hussaini Aminu, Babura Sabo BashiR https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Factors Influencing the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the Livelihood of Maize Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria
This study investigated factors affecting the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the livelihood of maize farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria. Utilizing a multistage sampling method and Slovin’s formula, data were collected through primary sources and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Key findings revealed that most maize farmers were male (85%), female (15%). Majority were between 40-49 years old (67%), who were in their productive years. 84% were married and have larger household sizes, with 61% having six or more children. Educationally, 59% have tertiary education, 15% have primary education. Regarding farming experience, 43% had 16 years, and 78% cultivate 5 hectares of land. Institutionally, 52% of farmers were not members of cooperative societies, and 86% lack access to extension services. In terms of ICT access, 75% have access to ICTs, though only 14% have extension contact. On credit access, 84% of farmers find it inadequate. Income levels vary, with 52% earning over N1,000,000 annually. Awareness was determined using a confrontational index with benchmarks 1.50 means score, percentage and ranked. The result showed that farmers were aware of all the ICT components and uses them. The study concluded that socio-economic and institutional factors significantly influence ICT use among maize farmers. It was recommended that sex, household size, level of education, farming experience, farm size, cooperative membership, extension visit, access to ICTs, access to credit for ICTs were found to influence the use of ICTs by maize farmers and should be strengthened.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hwanvyon Kaduna, Zando Bala Agyo, Irimiya Akhenhunyo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of Service Quality and Passenger Perception at Murtala Mohammed International Airport Terminals I and II
Airport terminals play a central role in shaping passenger experience, yet limited evidence exists on terminal specific service quality differences within Nigerian airports. This study compared service quality and passenger satisfaction between Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminals I and II using the SERVQUAL framework. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 passengers, of which 384 valid responses (96.0%) were analysed. Service quality was evaluated across reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, and responsiveness using the two sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, while passenger satisfaction was examined using the Pearson Chi-Square test. The study introduces a terminal level assessment of service quality at MMIA, providing evidence often overlooked in airport level evaluations. The findings showed that Terminal II consistently outperformed Terminal I across most service dimensions. Overall passenger satisfaction was substantially higher at Terminal II, where 66.7% of passengers were satisfied or strongly satisfied, compared with 37.0% at Terminal I. Conversely, dissatisfaction was considerably higher at Terminal I (63.0%) than at Terminal II (33.4%). Significant differences were observed across the five SERVQUAL dimensions, and the Pearson Chi-Square test confirmed that passenger satisfaction differed significantly between the two terminals (χ² = 35.607, df = 3, p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that variations in infrastructure quality, operational reliability, and staff service significantly influence passenger experience. The study provides terminal specific evidence to support targeted investments in Terminal I, strengthen service delivery, improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger satisfaction, and improve the overall competitiveness of MMIA.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mansur Abdulhameed Pada, Murtala Sidi, Mohammed Sirajo Moriki, Ismaila Hadi, Abubakar Baballe Abubakar, Mohammed Ibrahim Maikano, Imrana Abdurrahman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Numerical Investigation of a Fractional-Order Measles Model via the Generalized Adams–Bashforth–Moulton Technique
In this research, the transmission dynamics of Measles are investigated by adopting a fractional-order mathematical model to investigate the impact of vaccination, treatment and contacts on the transmission of the disease. The model is well-posed, containing solutions and uniqueness, in fractional order sense. Stability analysis of the model is carried out to investigate the disease dynamics, including the determination of the basic reproduction number. The results show that treating infected individuals more often plays an important role in keeping the basic reproduction number below one and thus actually supports the control of the disease, while the higher the contact rate, the more the disease can be transmitted and persistent in the population. In addition, simulation analyses show that transmission related parameters are favorable for disease transmission, while treatment and vaccination related parameters are unfavorable for spread and contribute to a decrease of the disease burden. The fractional Adams–Bashforth–Moulton numerical scheme is used to study the dynamics of the population compartments under the different rates of treatment and contact. The results highlight that treatment and large scale vaccination of susceptible people is key to reducing the burden of Measles. Finally, the study shows that the use of integrated control measures, such as treatment expansion, vaccination coverage and reducing transmission pathways can be used effectively to control and potentially eradicate Measles in the population.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jeremiah Amos, David Omale, William Atokolo, Enejoh Jalija, Emmanuel Abah, Danladi Egbunu, Simon Adukwu Iyaji https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Influence of Variable Prestress on the Dynamic Performance of an Elastically Supported Euler–Bernoulli Beam Under Moving Distributed Loads
The dynamic behavior of beam-type structures subjected to moving loads is of considerable importance in civil, mechanical, and transportation engineering, particularly in the design of bridges, railway tracks, conveyor systems, and other structural components where serviceability and structural safety are governed by vibration performance. Prestressing has been widely employed to improve structural stiffness and reduce deflection; however, the influence of variable prestress on the dynamic response of elastically supported beams under moving distributed loads has received comparatively less attention. This study investigates the influence of spatially varying prestress on the dynamic performance of an elastically supported Euler–Bernoulli beam subjected to moving distributed loads. A mathematical model is formulated by incorporating the combined effects of variable prestress, elastic foundation stiffness, and moving load characteristics into the governing beam equation. The resulting partial differential equation is solved analytically to determine the transient dynamic response of the beam. Parametric investigations are conducted to examine the influence of prestress variation, foundation stiffness, load velocity, and load distribution length on beam deflection and vibration characteristics. The results show that the increasing tensile prestress substantially reduces the maximum dynamic deflection and vibration amplitude, whereas compressive prestress increases the dynamic response and may compromise structural stability. Furthermore, greater foundation stiffness effectively suppresses beam vibrations and improves structural performance, particularly under high-speed moving loads.The study demonstrates that the combined optimization of prestress distribution and elastic foundation properties provides an effective strategy for controlling beam vibrations and enhancing the dynamic performance of engineering structures subjected to moving distributed loads.
Copyright (c) 2026 Albert I. Idowu, Ayinla A. Abdurasid, Christana Iluno, Olusegun S. Are, Adesanya O. Atilade https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Phytoplankton Community Structure, Cyanobacterial Proliferation, and Water Quality Relationships in the River Benue Basin, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Phytoplankton communities are sensitive bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health, yet their composition, diversity, and cyanobacterial status have never been quantitatively characterised for the River Benue Basin, Adamawa State, Nigeria. This study presents the first multi-location quantitative assessment of phytoplankton composition, abundance, and diversity across three contrasting anthropogenic pressure zones, and evaluates the public health significance of toxigenic cyanobacterial genera. Phytoplankton were collected monthly at Boronji, Dasin Hausa, and Njoboliyo during dry (February–April 2025) and rainy (June–August 2025) seasons by horizontal net towing (55 µm mesh), preserved in Lugol's iodine, and enumerated using Sedgewick-Rafter chambers under compound microscopy. Diversity was assessed using Shannon-Wiener (H') and Pielou's evenness (J') indices. Nineteen taxa were recorded at Boronji and Njoboliyo, and 20 at Dasin Hausa, spanning four divisions: Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanobacteria, and Chrysophyta. Fragilaria sp. dominated at all sites, peaking at 17,783 ind./L at Dasin Hausa, which also recorded the highest total abundance (46,895 ind./L), followed by Njoboliyo (27,636 ind./L) and Boronji (26,713 ind./L). Shannon-Wiener indices ranged from H' = 1.94 (Njoboliyo) to H' = 2.27 (Boronji). Four toxigenic genera Anabaena, Aphanocapsa, Oscillatoria, and Aphanizomenon occurred at all locations throughout the study, with Oscillatoria anomalously elevated at the most metal-contaminated site, Njoboliyo (868 vs. 282–284 ind./L elsewhere). The basin has crossed ecological thresholds enabling sustained cyanobacterial establishment at all sites; the Chlorophyta/Bacillariophyta ratio is identified as a sensitive bioindicator of heavy metal stress. Cyanobacterial surveillance and riparian buffer restoration are recommended as priority actions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aminu Maulud Abdulazeez, Tizhe Kwaga, Callistus Akosim, Nuru Zakari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals and Ionic Species in Road Dust in the Vicinity of University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
The increasing levels of heavy metals and ionic species in road dust around the University of Lagos and its surrounding environments, which are believed to exceed recommended environmental standards, emphasizes the need for the present study. This study investigates the concentrations of selected heavy metals ((Zn, Pb,Cu,, Ni, Cd) and ionic species(SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, CO₃²⁻,C₂O₄²⁻) in road dust samples collected around the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria. 44, road dust samples were collected between January and June 2025 across eleven sampling locations, with sampling conducted four times monthly. Dust samples were swept using a hand brush into plastic containers and transferred into sterile vials. The samples were sieved through a 75-µm stainless steel mesh, weighed, and digested using nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄). Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP - OES), while ionic species were determined using standard analytical procedures. Zinc (Zn) - (1710.86 mg/kg) recorded the highest heavy metal concentration while Cadmium (Cd)-(48.73 mg/kg) had the lowest concentration. Sulphate (SO₄²⁻) - (1266.62 mg/kg), was the most abundant ionic species while oxalate (C₂O₄²⁻) -(116.05 mg/kg) recorded the lowest value. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified three principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3)accounting for 90.78% of total variance, indicating anthropogenic sources such as vehicular emissions, lubricating oil, diesel fuel combustion, waste burning, tire and brake wear, chemical/ solvent usage, construction materials, microplastics, and organic activities. Heavy metal concentrations exceeded WHO/FAO, USEPA and NESREA permissible limits, posing environmental and public health concerns.
Copyright (c) 2026 Chukwuwuba Chekwube Ojiodu, Amarachukwu Okoyeagu, Emmanuel Mmaduabuchi Ikegwu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol extracts from Aerial part of Indigofera nummularifolia and Zornia glochidiata
The aim of the study is to investigate the chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of methanol extracts of Indigofera nummularifolia aerial parts and Zornia glochidiata leaves. The chemical constituents of weighed, air-dried, and pulverized leaf samples of Indigofera nummularifolia and Zornia glochidiata were examined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activities of methanol extract of Indigofera nummularifolia and Zornia glochidiata were tested against six (6) strains of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli using agar diffusion pour-plate method. The antioxidant activities of the methanol extracts Indigofera nummularifolia and Zornia glochidiata were carried out using the DPPH method. The methanol extract of I. nummulariifolia showed weak activity against E. coli (5.5 mm). On the other hand, the methanol extract of Z. glochidiata showed significant activity against S. aureus (10.50 mm). The methanol extract of Z. glochidiata exhibits significant antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH radicals in a dose-dependent manner. The methanol extract of Z. glochidiata exhibited antioxidant activity with IC50 value at 31.15 μg/mL, comparable with that of the standard control, ascorbic acid (IC50 value of 52.10 μg/mL). The GC-MS analyses of the extracts of the two plants revealed various bioactive compounds including fatty acids, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acids esters, terpenes, alcohols, sugars, and other bioactive metabolites. The chemical profiling of the two plants (Indigofera nummularifolia and Zornia glochidiata) employed in this study exhibits broad spectrum of bioactive metabolites with promising antibacterial and antioxidant activities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shehu Abdullahi, Amao Abdulmumeen Hamid, Muritala Issa Bale, Umar Idris, Shuaib Bolaji Issa, Quadri Alabi Salawudeen, Hiqma Adenike Adebisi, Anuoluwapo Deborah Jamodu, Cecilia. Oluwakemi Adigun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Appraisal of Crisis Management Strategies Adopted by Shipping Companies in the Strait of Hormuz (2015 to 2025)
This study appraises crisis management strategies adopted by shipping companies operating in the Strait of Hormuz between 2015 and 2025, a critical global maritime chokepoint responsible for about 20% to 21% of global petroleum transit. While existing studies largely emphasize the geopolitical and security significance of the corridor, limited attention has been given to how shipping companies design and implement crisis management strategies in response to operational disruptions. This study addresses this gap by examining company level crisis management practices among major operators including Maersk, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, COSCO Shipping, Euronav, Frontline Ltd, and Bahri. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with maritime professionals supported by documentary sources, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that shipping companies employ integrated crisis management systems comprising preventive, real time response, and adaptive strategies. Intelligence driven risk assessment, scenario based voyage planning, crew preparedness, centralized control centres, multi-channel communication systems, and naval coordination strengthen operational responsiveness, while post incident reviews and protocol revisions promote organizational learning and continuous improvement. However, geopolitical instability, rising operational costs, human fatigue, and weak stakeholder coordination reduce the overall effectiveness of these strategies. The study contributes to maritime crisis management literature by providing empirical evidence on company level practices and concludes that effective crisis management depends on stronger integration of technology, human capacity, and institutional coordination to enhance resilience and operational continuity in high risk maritime corridors.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ismaila Hadi, Abubakar Baballe Abubakar, Murtala Sidi, Mohammed Sirajo Moriki, Mohammed Ibrahim Maikano, Mansur Abdulhameed Pada, Imrana Abdurrahman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Physicochemical Properties of Soya Beans Milk (Dage), Sold and Consumed within Kano State Metropolis
The study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties, proximate composition, anti-oxidant properties and anti-nutritional content, micro and macro elements concentrations, and sensory acceptability of soybean milk ("dage") sold within kano State metropolises, Nigeria. The drinks were analyzed for (Physico-chemical (pH, total titratable acidity, Brix and turbidity) anti-nutritional (Phyate, and oxalate), anti-oxidant (flavonoid), proximate (moisture, fat, protein, ash, crude fiber, carbohydrate and total energy contents), Macro-element (calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium). Micro elements (cadmium, nickel and lead). The results showed significant variations in moisture (76.96–80.05 %), protein (5.90–7.36%), fat (3.55–4.38%), and fibre (2.10–2.88%) contents. Anti-oxidants analysis revealed presence of flavonoids (0.22–0.59 mg/100L) while anti-nutrients contents; phytates (148.15–289.83 mg/100L), and oxalates (15.94–31.05 mg/100L). Physicochemical properties indicated acidic pH (3.78–4.98) and varying viscosity (415.00–840.50 mPa·s). Macro-element analysis showed presence of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium, Micro-elements (cadmium, nickel, lead) were detected at low levels. Sensory evaluation indicated the control sample had the highest overall acceptability (8.35/10). In conclusion, this study underscores the need for quality control measures in traditional "dage" production to enhance safety, nutritional value, and consumer acceptability.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdullahi Muhammad Bello, Adamu Abdullahi Shehu, Zakari Nuhu Lambu, Mustapha Yusuf Dauda, Aliyu Abdullahi Maru, Sani Muhammad Ibrahim https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Deterministic Chaos in Precipitation and Atmospheric Temperature Time Series over North-Central Nigeria: A Recurrence Quantification Analysis Approach
This work is focused at assessing the chaotic features in precipitation and atmospheric temperature records over North-Central Nigeria using recurrence quantification analysis. The mean daily precipitation and atmospheric temperature data for the seven states in North-Central Nigeria were collected from the Modern Era Retrospective Reanalysis (MERRA-2) spanning from 1982-2020. Recurrence plots (RP) were constructed based on the reconstitution of phase space via the method of delays while Lyapunov exponents and recurrence statistics were also computed. The results obtained show that the recurrence plots for precipitation comprise of points that are not arranged in shorter diagonal lines but form a congruent chequered pattern which is regular throughout the RP while the RPs for atmospheric temperature showed regular patterns with very short diagonal lines parallel to the line of identity (LOI) indicating chaos. The Lyapunov exponents were positive but low values (< 0.014) indication deterministic chaos while the recurrence statistics computed showed the recurrence rate of temperature has very low values (0.30-0.69 %) across all the sampled states but that of precipitation has higher values (09.83-28.24 %) as a result of its fixed seasonality. The determinism values for temperature also had lower values (0.099-0.182 %) while that of precipitation recorded higher values (75.48-88.85 %) implying more sensitive to distortions like greenhouse gases emissions from human anthropogenic activities. These results are a confirmation of deterministic chaos in the dynamics of the climate of North-Central Nigeria which is has manifested in floods, heat waves and droughts over the years.
Copyright (c) 2026 Emmanuel Vezua Tikyaa, Terkaa Timothy Tile, Alexander N. Amah, Daniel Abi Otor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Physicochemical Parameters on Abundance and Diversity of Insects in Jabi Lake, Abuja, Nigeria
Insects represent the most diverse and adaptable group of animals, comprising over 80% of all identified species and occurring in nearly all habitats except marine environments. This study assessed the abundance, diversity, and ecological distribution of aquatic insects in Jabi Lake, Abuja, from May to October 2025, with emphasis on their relationship to seasonal changes in water quality. Five ecological stations were established, and samples were collected triweekly using standard sweep netting techniques. Physicochemical parameters—temperature, pH, turbidity, depth, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)—were measured concurrently. Mean water temperature declined from 28.46 ± 0.03 °C in May to 25.99 ± 0.00 °C in August (p < 0.05), while pH fluctuated between 5.90 and 6.94. Depth increased from 1.74 m to 2.46 m, and turbidity rose from 8.45 to 9.49 NTU. Dissolved oxygen ranged between 5.18 and 6.04 mg/L, showing an inverse relationship with BOD (2.02–2.90 mg/L). Seven insect taxa were recorded: Chironomus sp., Notonecta glauca, Gerris sp., Dytiscus sp., Orthetrum sp., Brachythemis sp., and Pseudocloeon sp., with peak species richness in July under moderate temperature and elevated DO. The Shannon–Weiner diversity index peaked at 1.946 during July–September, coinciding with optimal conditions for Odonata and Ephemeroptera emergence. RLQ ordination explained 78.4% of trait–environment covariance, distinguishing oxygen-demanding taxa in deeper, well-oxygenated waters (Axis 1 = 58.2%) from tolerant species in nutrient-enriched zones (Axis 2 = 20.2%).
Copyright (c) 2026 Rachael Toyosi Idowu, Tawakalitu Biola Alabi, Bala Adamu Azare https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0