FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

SEX RATIO, GONADO-SOMATIC INDEX AND HEPATO-SOMATIC INDEX OF Coptodon zilli and Oreochromis niloticus INHABITING UREJE RESERVOIR, ADO-EKITI

Ayodeji T. Balogun, Adefemi O. Ajibare, Olusola B. Ojo — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:29:37 +0000

The impacts of fishing activity on the natural stocks of fish are hard to evaluate because of the scarcity of studies on their natural status. Thus, this study investigated the sex ratio, gonado-somatic index (GSI), and hepato-somatic index (HSI) as some aspects of the reproductive biology of Coptodon zilli and Oreochromis niloticus of Ureje reservoir, Ado Ekiti Nigeria. 296 samples were collected between October and December from fishermen operating on the reservoir. The sexes were determined by visual inspection while individual gonad and liver were dissected from fish to determine the GSI and HSI respectively. The sex ratio did not significantly deviate from the expected 1:1 even though there were more males in the reservoir. In C. zilli, GSI was 3.06% in females, 2.98% in males, and 3.01% in combined sexes while in O. niloticus, GSI ranged from 2.59% for females and 2.83% for males while the GSI for combined sexes was 2.75% indicating maturity and normal reproductive physiology. HSI was 1.02 (female), 1.11 (male), and 1.08 (combined sexes) for C. zilli while it was 0.44%, 0.78%, and 0.68% for male, female, and combined sexes of O. niloticus respectively. The HSI reflected that the fish and the reservoir cannot be linked with pollution. The study concludes that the GSI and HSI indicated normal reproductive physiology of the fishes. This study has provided basic information on the biology of C. zilli and O. niloticus of the Ureje reservoir. However, there is a need for further ecological study in the study area.

TAENIASIS PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN BORRONG COMMUNE, DEMSA LGA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:15:49 +0000

Taeniasis represents a human parasitic infection originating from three distinct tapeworm species: Taenia saginata, commonly known as the beef tapeworm, Taenia solium, referred to as the pork tapeworm, and Taenia asiatica, identified as the Asian tapeworm. The primary transmission of these parasitic organisms occurs when individuals consume poorly cooked meat, specifically raw or insufficiently cooked beef for T. saginata, or pork for both T. solium and T. asiatica. This research aims to understand how common a particular health issue is in the Borrong Community and explore what factors might be related to its occurrence in this specific area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. 376 people were picked by chance to participate in the research, which covers three villages: Borrong, Dilli, and Gwamba. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics Version 20. The 376 people studied, 129 were carriers of taeniasis infection with 34.3% infection rate. The highest infection occurred in age group 30-39 years in both males 18(51.4%) and females 16(43.3%), and is lower in ages 1-9 years in both males 1(11.1%) and females 1(9.1%). The source of water supply, hand washing habit after defecation, educational level, and pigs roaming freely, were significantly associated with taeniasis infections. Due to scarce feed resources, pigs in Africa are commonly allowed to move around freely, using waste as their primary food source. Increasing awareness about local risk factors such as pig management, education, and personal hygiene is crucial. This will play a great role in suppressing the taeniasis prevalence.

ONE-POT BIOSYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION OF IRON-BIOCHAR NANOCOMPOSITES FROM WASTE COCONUT SHELLS

Pius I. Eche, Solomon E. Shaibu, Emmanuel I. Uwah, Eno A. Moses — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:23:59 +0000

This study explores the eco-friendly one-pot biosynthesis and structural characterization of iron-biochar nanocomposites (IBN) derived from waste coconut shells using Allamanda cathartica extract as a reducing agent. The synthesis process leveraged the phytochemical abundance of the plant extract and the porous structure of coconut biochar, resulting in a material with enhanced properties for environmental applications. Characterization techniques such as BET, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, and FTIR confirmed the successful integration of nanoscale iron into the biochar matrix. The BET analysis revealed a surface area of 34.035 m²/g, a pore size of 102.2356 Å, and a pore volume of 0.110914 cm³/g, indicating high adsorption potential. XRD patterns confirmed crystalline iron oxide phases, while SEM and TEM images revealed highly porous structures with uniformly dispersed iron nanoparticles. The FTIR identified OH, C-O and aromatic C=C stretching, and EDX confirmed the elemental composition, including iron, oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and carbon, ensuring structural stability and pollutant binding efficiency. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis of Allamanda cathartica extract identified alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids, supporting its role as a green reducing agent. The study highlights the structural and functional advantages of IBN over unmodified biochar, emphasizing its increased surface area, porosity, and pollutant removal efficiency. Furthermore, the scalability and sustainability of the synthesis process underscore its potential for large-scale environmental applications, aligning with circular economy principles.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EARLY GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NAKED NECK, NORMAL AND FRIZZLE-FEATHERED NIGERIAN NATIVE CHICKENS REARED UNDER INTENSIVE SYSTEM IN GUINEA SAVANNAH

Mercy O. Audu, O. Michael Momoh, Henry O. Ukwu — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 21:44:05 +0000

This study investigated the early growth performance of naked neck, normal and frizzle-feathered Nigerian native chickens, under intensive system. 150 chicks, comprising 50 chicks from each genotype, were used in a 3 X 2 factorial arrangement in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with genotype and sex as factors of interest. Data were collected on hatch weight, weekly body weights, and total weight gain. The result showed no significant genotype effect (P>0.05) on hatch weight and body weight at week one. From week 3 to week 8, naked neck and frizzle-feathered chicks had comparable body weights, which differed significantly (P<0.01) from that of the normal feathered chicks. Naked neck genotype had significantly (P<0.05) higher total weight gain than frizzle and normal-feathered Nigerian native chickens, which had comparable total weight gain. Sex had highly significant (p<0.001) influence on hatch weight, body weight from week 1 to week 8, and total weight gain. Genotype X sex interaction had significant (p<0.05) effect on hatch weight, but no significant (p>0.05) effects on body weight of Nigerian indigenous chickens from week 1 to week 8. Naked neck and frizzle-feathered males had comparable total weight gain, which were higher than that of normal feathered males and all females irrespective of genotype. Naked neck females had significantly (P<0.01) higher total weight gain than normal and frizzle-feathered females, which had comparable total weight gain. It could be concluded that the naked neck genotype performed better than the frizzle and normal-feathered Nigerian native chickens under intensive system of management.

EVALUATION OF THE DIELECTRIC AND SEMI-CONDUCTOR COATING EFFECTS ON THE MICROWAVE ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF METALS

Aliyu Yahaya, Mutari Hajara Ali — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 22:23:40 +0000

This research evaluated the effects of dielectric and semiconductor coatings on the microwave absorption properties of three metals: aluminum, copper, and zinc. Using COMSOL Multiphysics software, simulations were performed to analyze the interaction of microwave radiation with these metals, both in their uncoated form and when coated with dielectric and semiconductor materials of varying thicknesses. The study involved creating geometric models, applying material properties, and conducting frequency domain analyses to determine absorption characteristics. The results revealed that coating thickness played a critical role in improving microwave absorption. Optimal thicknesses for dielectric coatings reduced reflectivity and provided impedance matching layers that facilitated greater microwave penetration. Semiconductor coatings further increased absorption due to their tunable conductivity and effective loss mechanisms, which efficiently converted microwave energy into heat. Aluminum and copper exhibited low absorption in their uncoated form due to high electrical conductivity and reflectivity, while zinc displayed moderate absorption. When coated, all three metals demonstrated significantly enhanced absorption, with the impact varying based on coating type and thickness. These findings have significant implications for applications in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, microwave devices, and materials science. By understanding the influence of coating thickness on microwave absorption, this study provides insights for optimizing material designs and tailoring coating parameters to enhance performance for shielding technologies and microwave absorption applications. This research highlights the potential of coatings to overcome the limitations of metals and improve their functionality in diverse technological and industrial fields.

INTEGRATION OF LAYER-WISE RELEVANCE PROPAGATION, RECURSIVE DATA PRUNING, AND CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS FOR IMPROVED TEXT CLASSIFICATION

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:02:05 +0000

This research presents a significant advancement in text classification by integrating Layer-wise Relevance Propagation (LRP), recursive data pruning, and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with cross-validation. The study addresses the critical limitations of existing text classification methods, particularly issues of information loss and overfitting, which often hinder the efficiency and interpretability of models in natural language processing (NLP). To overcome these challenges, the proposed model employs LRP to enhance the interpretability of the classification process, allowing for precise identification of relevant features that contribute to decision-making. Additionally, the implementation of recursive data pruning optimizes model efficiency by dynamically eliminating irrelevant or redundant data, thereby reducing computational complexity without compromising performance. The effectiveness of the approach is further bolstered by utilizing cross-validation techniques to ensure robust evaluation across diverse datasets. The empirical evaluation of the integrated model revealed remarkable improvements in classification performance, achieving an accuracy of 94%, surpassing the benchmark of 92.88% established by the ReDP-CNN model proposed by Li et al. (2020). The comprehensive assessment included detailed metrics such as precision, recall, and F1-score, confirming the model's robust capability in accurately classifying text data across various categories.

SORPTION AND DESORPTION KINETICS OF CADMIUM IMMOBILIZATION IN LATERITE SOIL USING ANIMAL BONES

Kenneth Afamefuna Eze, A. O. Eze, J. C. Iyidobi — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:18:29 +0000

The sorption and desorption kinetics of cadmium immobilization in laterite soil using animal bones were investigated by subjecting the experimental data to various kinetic models. Sorption kinetic was studied with Pseudo first order, pseudo second order and parabolic diffusion while desorption kinetics was investigated with first order, Second order, and Simple Elovich Models. These models were chosen for their significance to understanding and optimizing the kinetics of immobilization processes, since they provide insights into the mechanisms driving sorption and desorption, allowing for the construction of more efficient systems. The SEM analysis of the bones show that they are mainly composed of calcium phosphate in the increasing order of CBA>PBA>HBA. This compound caused the precipitation of metal phosphate, which resulted in decreased mobility because of its low solubility. The physicochemical analysis of the soil shows that it contains iron oxide, which increased the iron and manganese oxide fraction of the soil, which resulted in increased bonding of metal to this fraction thus reducing the amount of metal available for plant uptake. The correlation coefficient R² was used to determine the suitability of the model to the kinetic data. For pseudo first order, pseudo second order and parabolic diffusion, R² ranges from 0.419-0.8295, 0.9946- 0.9997 and 0.5116- 0.8295 respectively while for desorption process, it ranges from 0.254-0.349, 0.164 – 0.211 and 0.981- 0.990 for first order, second order and Elovich models respectively for all amendments. This resultsimplied that pseudo second order model best suited the sorption process while desorption was best fitted...

PERCEPTION OF ARABLE FARMERS ON USING WEB TOOLS FOR INFORMATION ACCESS IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:14:59 +0000

As nations look to adopt more efficient production techniques, web tools such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Zoom and others is the contemporary paradigm for raising agricultural output globally. The study therefore described the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, determined the farmers’ perception and usage of the web tools in accessing agricultural information. The study was carried out in south west Nigeria, using a multi-stage sampling technique among two hundred and ninety nine (299) arable farmers. Primary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Result of analysis showed that most of the respondents were male, 46.8% had primary education with about 15 years of farming experience. The findings further found out that the farmers had positive perception towards web tools usage. The study therefore recommends that as a result of the positive disposition towards usage of web tools for accessing information, such tools should be designed in a user friendly manner by key players in ICT while also training the farmers in needed areas by extension agents.

SURVEY OF MEDICALLY IMPORTANT PROTOZOANS INFESTED ON COCKROACHES COLLECTED FROM STUDENT HOSTEL IN SA’ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI STATE

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:01:13 +0000

COUNTERMEASURE TO MAN-IN-THE-MIDDLE ATTACK BASED ON EMAIL HIJACKING USING TRY-HYBRID SUPERVISED LEARNING TECHNIQUES

Manir Nasir, Danlami Gabi, Salihu Alhassan Libata, Mujtaba Haruna — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:30:06 +0000

Email communication faces an escalating threat from Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, which compromise the security and integrity of emails, leading to the risk of data breaches, financial losses, and reputational harm. Traditional email security measures, such as SSL/TLS encryption and authentication protocols (e.g., SPF, DKIM, DMARC), have become increasingly insufficient in countering these advanced MitM attacks. The growing sophistication of MitM techniques, including SSL stripping, DNS spoofing, and session hijacking. This research proposes a countermeasure to MitM attacks based on email hijacking using a try-hybrid supervised learning technique. timestamps, IP addresses, port numbers, packet sizes, and various security-related indicators. The development of the MitM attack detection technique employed a try-hybrid mitm attack detection technique, which combines the strengths of three machine learning algorithms: Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), and Support Vector Machine (SVM).The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed try-hybrid model, achieving an accuracy of 95.8%, surpassing Benchmark 1 (92.4%) and Benchmark 2 (90.1%). Precision improves to 94.3% compared to Benchmark 1 (91.0%) and Benchmark 2 (88.5%). Similarly, recall is enhanced to 96.5% against Benchmark 1 (89.7%) and Benchmark 2 (87.2%). The F1 score of 95.4% significantly outperforms Benchmark 1 (90.3%) and Benchmark 2 (87.8%). Moreover, the proposed model achieves a lower False Positive Rate (FPR) of 3.2% compared to Benchmark 1 (5.6%) and Benchmark 2 (6.8%).These results highlight the robustness and reliability of the try-hybrid model in enhancing email security by effectively detecting and mitigating advanced MitM attacks.

EXPANSION METHOD FOR SOLVING FRACTIONAL ORDER HIV/AIDS MODEL

Opeyemi Odetunde, Mohammed Olanrewaju Ibrahim — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:18:35 +0000

This work focused on application of non-integer order derivative to solve a system of differential equations governing a nonlinear HIV/AIDS model. The model was formulated based on the efficacy of the administered anti-retrovirus therapy (ART) in abating the destructive effect of the exponential growth of the causative virus, together with time effect analysis of the impact of the drug on both healthy and infected cells within the host. Two of the most important antibodies were considered in the development of the model, the Clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) cells and Macrophages. Their impact on the overall metabolic system of healthy and HIV infected human are modeled mathematically as a system of nonlinear differential equation. Some basic definitions of known fractional operators were adopted and applied to the model equation. The Caputo fractional derivative equivalent of the model equations was methodically solved using the expansion method of solution, numerically simulated using the Maple 18 in-built standard Runge-Kutta order 4 method, and the graph was plotted for various values of from 0.5 1. The result revealed the pattern of each compartments within the time frame, and it can be deduced from the graph that early discovery of the infection together with therapy can significantly lower the exponential growth rate of the virus, which in turn will culminate in healthy lifestyle for the carrier.

SOIL SALINITY ASSESSMENT FOR CROP PRODUCTION SUSTAINABILITY IN JIBIA IRRIGATION SCHEME, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abubakar Muazu, N. B. Eniolorunda, S. Kabiru — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:58:10 +0000

Cases of soil salinity have been observed in the Jibia Irrigation Scheme (JIS), threatening sustainable crop production. This study assesses soil salinity a critical factor influencing land degradation, to develop actionable remediation strategies. Soil samples were randomly collected from the upper 0–30 cm of soil at three operational treatment areas within the project: a 3,060-hectare area served by pumping systems and a 206-hectare area served by gravity systems. Samples were analysed in the laboratory for electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable bases. The EC values exhibited considerable variability, ranging from 0.29 dS/m to 5.47 dS/m, which reflects significant differences in soil salinity across the sites. Laboratory analyses revealed exceptionally high concentrations of exchangeable sodium (Na⁺) relative to other essential bases; calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and potassium (K⁺). The percent base saturation (PBS) values further highlighted deficiencies: potassium ranged from 1.37% to 11.50%, magnesium from 1.46% to 6.70%, calcium from 13.90% to 36.46%, and sodium dominated at 45.56% to 76.62%. These imbalances in soil nutrient levels impair crop yields and quality, exacerbating economic losses and food insecurity in the scheme area. The study recommends implementing a series of remediation strategies to restore the productivity of the degraded farmlands. These strategies include soil leveling or grading, application of gypsum or calcium chloride to ameliorate salinity, and crop production practices that are tolerant to sodium. This study presents a thorough assessment of the effects of soil salinity in the JIS and practical recommendations to enhance soil health and support sustainable agricultural practices in the...

WATER QUALITY AND AQUACULTURE: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF OGIDEKPE RIVER FOR AQUACULTURE

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 22:26:10 +0000

The success of aquaculture depends on the quality of its water source. The increasing practice and establishment of earthen ponds for aquaculture in close proximity to lotic water bodies has necessitated the need for the suitability assessment of their water quality. The aim of this study is to ascertain the suitability of Ogidekpe River as source of water for aquaculture practice. Water samples were collected from four (4) designated stations along the Ogidekpe River from September 2023 to February 2024 and twenty (20) physico-chemical parameters were analyzed according to standard methods. Observed concentration values were compared with the Nigerian Standard Water Quality Criteria for Fisheries. Concentrations of physico-chemical parameters were within their respective permissible limits, except for turbidity (27 – 30.6 NTU), dissolved oxygen (3.06 – 5.06 mg/L), iron (0.33 – 0.39 mg/L), chromium (0.04 – 0.08 mg/L), lead (0.01 – 0.013 mg/L) and zinc (0.21 – 0.38 mg/L) at all the stations. High water turbidity and heavy metal – iron, chromium, lead and zinc content values which exceeded the water quality criteria for fisheries, makes the river an unsuitable water source for aquaculture. Utilizing the River as source of water for aquaculture requires that water retention ponds be constructed to allow for sedimentation and treatment before use for fish culture. There is need also to identify point sources of pollution within the watershed and enforce compliance to environmental laws in order to improve the overall water quality of the river.

EFFECT OF HERDSMEN AND CROP FARMER CRISIS ON LIVELIHOOD OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN KOGI STATE NIGERIA

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:04:56 +0000

The crisis between herdsmen and crop farmers have escalated in recent years from North Central region of Nigeria, threatening the livelihood of farming households which has unraveled the country’s social fabric, displaced some of the populace and resulted in a steady deterioration in the political and social activities of the country as a whole. This study examined the effect of herdsmen and crop farmer crisis on livelihood of the farming households in Kogi State, Nigeria. A simple random selection of 80 farmers from Oke-Dayo, Kabba Bunu rural locality of Kogi State was used for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used for the data collection and descriptive Statistics were used to analyse the data generated from respondents. The study showed a good participation of female (male; 55%, female; 45%) in farming and revealed that the major causes of conflicts in the study area were uncontrolled grazing .Most of the crisis were yet unresolved in the study area. Meanwhile, farmland productivity was 87.5% before the herdsmen-crop farmers crisis resulting in increased crop production but after the clash, farmland became 60 % unproductive, in which 97.3% of crops were either destroyed or affected. Livestock and animal production were also affected.

TEMPERATURE VARIATION IN AN A-B BILAYER SYSTEM DURING RADIATION-INDUCED AB COMPOUND LAYER FORMATION

Samuel O. Akintunde, Pavel A. Selyshchev, Daniel O. Kehinde — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:11 +0000

Metal silicide formation plays a crucial role in microelectronics, particularly in contact and interconnect technologies. Traditional silicide fabrication methods rely on high-temperature annealing, which can lead to undesirable effects such as increased surface roughness and poor electrical contact. An alternative approach is irradiation-assisted silicide formation, which offers advantages such as lower processing temperatures and improved material properties. Understanding the thermal dynamics during irradiation-induced silicide growth is essential for optimizing this process. In this study, we present a mathematical model that describes the temperature dynamics in an A (metal) - B (silicon) bilayer system under the influence of radiation-induced heating during the formation of an AB (metal silicide) compound layer. The model describes heat generation rates within three irradiated A, AB, and B layers, each with distinct material properties. In this work, we used the nickel-silicon bilayer system as a case study. The result from this study shows that the heat generation rate exhibits both linear and parabolic dependencies on layer thickness and temperature change within the nickel silicide layer during radiation-induced heating. Furthermore, the model reveals a significant finding: the temperature obtained in this study for nickel silicide growth under irradiation is lower than its formation temperature under non-irradiation conditions (e.g., conventional heating processes). This result highlights one of the key advantages of employing irradiation techniques over non-irradiation methods. Lastly, the results also show that the thermal vacancy mechanism is not the dominant atomic transport mechanism during the irradiation of the nickel-silicon bilayer system.

GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION FOR LAND USE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

Barnabas O. Morakinyo — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:48:39 +0000

Land-use planning is the systematic assessment of land and water potential, alternatives for land-use, and economic and social conditions in order to select and adapt the best land-use options. The aim of this study is to examine how geospatial information is the bedrock for land use planning and management with a focus on estate housing development. The project site is located at Eleko, Lagos State, Nigeria. The three (3) survey controls used for the connection of the project are ZTT 37/17, ZTT 37/18 and ZTT 37/19. Digital Survey instruments (Leica TCR 307, Level) were used for the acquisition of geospatial data of the site. Tacheometric survey method for spot heighting and ray method for detailing of features within and around the site. Grid levelling was carried out at 10 m intervals with staking at 10 m. The results obtained show that the total perimeter of the traverse is 839.805 m; total area of the site is 3.132 Hectares; and the linear accuracy of the traverse is 1/15,000. Grid levelling was carried out at 10 m intervals with staking at 10 m. This provides the elevation for each point which was used to provide contours for the terrain; and finally the production of topographic map and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the site which are used as tools for land use planning and its management. Therefore, it can be concluded that geospatial information such as topographic map and DTM are the bedrock for land use planning and management.

VISCOELASTIC DAMPING SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS

K. U. Unamba, J. Y. Saleh, Obaloluwa Ezekiel Oyetunji — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 11:32:42 +0000

This research investigates the effectiveness of Viscoelastic Damping Systems (VDS) in enhancing the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. To evaluate this, a series of numerical simulations were conducted using time-history seismic analysis, incorporating earthquake magnitudes ranging from moderate to severe (e.g., 5.5 to 7.5 on the Richter scale). The RC beams analyzed were standard-sized with a span of 4 meters, designed per conventional seismic codes, while VDS parameters, such as damping ratio and placement, were optimized for maximum energy dissipation. A control group of RC beams without VDS was included to provide a baseline for performance comparisons. The study focuses on critical performance metrics, including displacement control, energy dissipation, and residual deformation, to assess the impact of VDS under varying seismic loads. Results indicate that the integration of VDS reduces displacement by 25% to 30%, increases energy dissipation by 50% to 67%, and decreases residual deformation by up to 40%, compared to the control group. While these findings highlight the significant benefits of VDS, the results are particularly applicable to mid-sized RC beams commonly used in low- to mid-rise structures and may require further validation for larger or highly irregular designs. These findings demonstrate that VDS significantly improve the seismic resilience of RC beams by absorbing and dissipating seismic energy, thereby reducing the risk of structural damage and permanent deformation. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating VDS in seismic design codes for RC structures in earthquake-prone regions, while advocating for future research to optimize their use across...

MOTIONS AROUND THE OUT-OF-PLANE EQUILIBRIUM POINTS FOR BINARY LALANDE 21258, BD+195116, ROSS 614, 70 OPHIUCHI AND 61 CYGNI SYSTEMS

Jessica Mrumun Gyegwe, Funmilola Balogun, Leke Oni, M. S. Omeiza — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:18:28 +0000

This study explores the orbital behaviour surrounding out-of-plane equilibrium points (OEPs) within the circular restricted three-body problem (CR3BP) framework, with a particular emphasis on binary star systems where the primary stars are represented as oblate and radiating entities. The research centres on the stability (Lyapunov-wise) of two pairs of OEPs, and, respectively, which are influenced by the oblateness and radiation pressure coefficients of the primary stars. By applying the theoretical framework to five specific binary systems—Lalande 21258, BD+195116, Ross 614, 70 Ophiuchi, and 61 Cygni—we assess the stability properties of these equilibrium points. Our findings indicate that the OEPs exhibit instability across all five systems, as evidenced by the positive real parts of the complex roots linked to their perturbations. This instability implies that any perturbations will amplify over time, resulting in significant deviations from the equilibrium states. The implications of this research are significant for the design of satellite constellations and the planning of space missions, as a thorough understanding of the stability of these equilibrium points is essential for successful mission execution and orbital insertion strategies. This work contributes to the wider domain of celestial mechanics by deepening our comprehension of dynamical behaviours in intricate binary systems.

ASSESSMENT OF FOOD HANDLERS' KNOWLEDGE AND HYGIENE PRACTICES AT SOME SELECTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Yusuf Idris Garba, Mustapha Mohammed Yahaya — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:34:56 +0000

Anybody concerned about eating healthy food and staying alive should pay close attention to food hygiene because food-borne illnesses can occasionally be very serious. This study evaluated food handlers' knowledge and awareness of food hygiene as well as their practice of it. It was conducted among food handlers at a few chosen tertiary institutions in Kano State, Nigeria. A descriptive study with a cross-sectional design was conducted with 79 food handlers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. With the assistance of research assistants, data was gathered with the aid of questionnaires, and the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis. According to the results of this study, food hygiene practices are fair when it comes to major water sources, changing the water used to wash utensils, and disposing of waste, but they are good when it comes to hand washing. The handlers exhibited a fair certain level of knowledge and awareness regarding food hygiene. The study's findings indicate that food handlers have a fair level of food hygiene knowledge and practice. However, improvements can yet be made in terms of food handler education and training, additionally frequent visits by environmental health officers (inspectors) to assess the handlers' level of hygiene practice.

INVESTIGATION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) IN SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Idowu Albert, Obaju Biodun Nathaniel, Patience Olonilebi — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:39:04 +0000

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a transformative tool that significantly enhances the efficiency and sustainability of construction projects. Despite its global recognition, the adoption in of BIM in Nigeria, especially in sustainable construction, remains limited. This study investigates the role of BIM in optimizing material use, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable practices in construction projects, using Lagos State as a case study. A quantitative research approach was employed, gathering data through questionnaires distributed to construction professionals. The collected data underwent statistical analysis utilizing measures such as mean, standard deviation, and Relative Importance Index (RII) to extract meaningful insights. The findings revealed that while BIM offers substantial benefits in material optimization and project management, various barriers hinder its widespread adoption, including high software costs and limited technical expertise. Training programs, government support, and improved stakeholder collaboration are specific recommendation to increase BIM integration in sustainable construction projects.

GROSS ALPHA AND BETA RADIOACTIVITY IN CRUDE OIL-CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS OF SOUTHERN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Emmanuel Oghenevovwero Esi — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research work aims at estimating the potential level of gross alpha and beta concentrations in sediments geographical region of Southern, Delta State, Nigeria via gas-filled proportional counter (Protean Instrument Corporation MPC 2000DP). Thirty sediment samples were collected from the river bed and analyzed and the mean obtained results ranged from BDL to 27.56±2.62 Bq/kg and 173.5±229 Bq/kg to 3853.0 Bq/kg with average value of 9.689±3.95 Bq/kg and 1479.7±256.6 Bq/kg respectively. It was practically clear that gross beta activities values generally exceeded alpha activities values in all the samples which implies that beta emitter may be the dominant radionuclide in the area. When the obtained results were compared with the control values (3.212±0.64 Bq/kg for alpha and 82.9±13.26 Bq/kg for beta), it was observed that the obtained results exceeded that of control results, since there is no standard for gross alpha and beta activities. The obtained high values of gross alpha and beta activities could possibly be attributed to area geological formation, hydrocarbon waste effluent discharge into the environment and waste released from marine operations. However, sediment may be use for construction provided appropriate modern scientific solidification/stabilization (S/S) treatment will be done to the hydrocarbon and marine waste before being discharged into the environment. It is a matter of concern to residents of the studied communities to use sediment for construction. Hence government agency responsible for enforcing environment and radiological policies should do so to ensure compliance by all shareholders.

ECOTOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT OF PLASTIC ON SELECTED AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL HABITATS OF MALETE MORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Plastic pollution is now a major environmental issue that has a significant impact on ecosystems all around the world. The aim of this research was to examine the ecotoxicological effects of plastic pollution on the aquatic water bodies and terrestrial habitats, in urban centers and waste disposal sites of Malete Community, Kwara State, Nigeria. Plastic samples were collected from three sampling points with the following coordinates, (Latitude 8° 71' 8" and longitude 4° 46' 8"), (Latitude 80 70' 8" Longitude 40 46' 8"), and (Latitude 8° 70' 8" and longitude 4° 46' 8") and they were tagged samples 1, 2 and 3 respectively, this was done as a representative of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis as well as chemical characterization of the plastic samples were carried out using standard procedures and methodologies. Interestingly, sample 1 has high levels of the following compounds, benzene (8.3%) ethylbenzene (22.6, %) and styrene (45.2%), known to have harmful impacts on aquatic life. The presence of 1-Octene (18.9%) and 1-Nonene (22.6%) in Sample 2 indicated the possibility of biomagnification through food chain. The presence of ethyl terephthalate (25.9%), and ethylene glycol (19.3%), which are compounds associated with aquatic toxicity, was evident in Sample 3. This study highlights the widespread ecotoxicological impact of plastic pollution in the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Malete Community, Kwara State. The presence of hazardous compounds in the plastic samples suggests significant risks to environmental health.

DETERMINATION OF PAHS IN UNDERGROUND WATER USING GC-MS AND GC-FID IN OSUN STATE, SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

T. Faraday Ediagbonya, Joseph I. Uche — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Contamination of underground water by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) poses significant health risks, yet the effectiveness of different analytical methods in detecting these contaminants remains unclear. This study compares the sensitivity of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) in analyzing PAH concentrations in borehole and well water in Osun State, Nigeria. Results showed that GC-MS detected a broader range of PAHs (22 compounds) compared to GC-FID (13 compounds), highlighting its higher sensitivity. While GC-FID recorded higher PAH concentrations in borehole samples, GC-MS provided a more precise differentiation of compounds. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting an appropriate detection method to accurately assess PAH contamination in drinking water, which is crucial for environmental monitoring and public health safety.

DERMATOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF SKIN LESIONS USING ATTENTION MECHANISMS

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Every year, both in developed and developing nations, the prevalence of skin cancer rises. Due to a lack of resources and medical knowledge, diagnosing skin lesions is more difficult in third-world nations. Unusual growths or alterations in the skin are known as skin lesions, and they can result from a number of causes, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, infections, traumas, and heredity. Malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous) skin lesions are both possible. This disease is contracted when the pigments that produce skin color become cancerous. Dermatologists find it difficult to diagnose skin cancer since the pigments of various skin conditions might look identical. This led to the goal of this work, which is to use attention mechanisms to design a system for dermatological diagnoses of skin lesions. Modern network architectures ResNet and EfficientNet, enhanced with specially designed patch-based attention heads, are the approach used to accomplish this. The HAM10000 dataset, a thorough compilation of dermatoscopic pictures of typical pigmented skin lesions, was used in the investigation. In order to improve the model's capacity to recognize minute yet crucial variations among lesion types, attention heads were created to highlight and identify important characteristics within patches of the dermatoscopic pictures. According to the experimental results, the model that accurately classifies images into different lesion types had the lowest accuracy of 72% on a dataset of over 10,000 image instances, while the model that determines whether a lesion is cancerous or non-cancerous had the highest accuracy of 98%, demonstrating its robustness and reliability for...

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND ITS DISRUPTIVE POTENTIAL: INVESTIGATING LONG-RUN AND SHORT-RUN RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOME SELECTED MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS

Chukwuemeka Lawrence Ani, Abdulssamad Ayomide Afolabi, Deborah Abiola Daramola — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The advent of cryptocurrency and underlying blockchain technology has ushered in a new era of digital finance, challenging traditional economic frameworks and prompting a reassessment of the macroeconomic landscape. This research work delves into the multifaceted economic impact of cryptocurrency, examining its potential implications for monetary policy, financial stability, and economic growth. This study uses a time series approach, that is Johansen cointegration and Granger causality in determining both the long and short run relationship that exist between the exchange rate of cryptocurrency prices (Binance coin, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, And Ripple) versus the U.S dollar and GDP from January, 2018 to July, 2023. And While, it also focuses on checking the long run and short run equilibrium relationship between the economic/financial variables and cryptocurrency market capitalization from January, 2018 to July, 2023. It considers a monthly data for both the exchange rates of the selected cryptocurrency prices versus the U.S dollar and the selected economic/financial time series variables. Finally, the study reveals that the result obtained from both tests. That is, the Johansen cointegration test and Granger causality Test, shows that short run effects exist more among the studied time series variables than in the long-run, and that changes in the selected cryptocurrency prices can be used to predict changes in the macroeconomic variables and indicators.

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ON ART DRUG

Kabiru Samaila Uthman, A. K. Idiris, A. Ibrahim, A. Tijjani, O. Rapheal — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system by infecting CD4 cells, damaging them and making the body more susceptible to opportunistic infections (OIs). Poor nutrition can exacerbate this issue by further weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of OIs. This study evaluated the nutritional status, dietary practices, and dietary management of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). A descriptive case study design was utilized, involving 194 HIV-infected individuals receiving treatment at General Hospital Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State. Anthropometric measurements were taken, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to assess the participants' nutritional status. Among the participants, 59.8% were female, while 40.2% were male. The age distribution showed that 38.6% of the patients were between 30 and 39 years old, with 26.2% being female and 12.4% male. Additionally, 81.8% had attended school, while 18.2% had not. The survey revealed that 80% of the patients were married, and 74% were unemployed. Dietary intake analysis indicated that the consumption of macro- and micronutrients was inadequate compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments showed that 46% of the PLWHA receiving treatment at General Hospital Kaura Namoda were underweight (BMI < 18 kg/m²). Also the result of the biochemical analysis indicated that serum albumin and total protein concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lower in HIV-positive patients than in HIV-negative controls. These findings highlight the importance of proper dietary management for PLWHA to prevent malnutrition and associated complications. If not adequately...

POLLUTION LEVEL OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN VEGETABLES PRODUCED THROUGH IRRIGATION FARMING IN GUDINCIN, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Salome Yamishi Danladi, Murtala Yakasai Saminu, Alhaji Adamu Yahaya — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The pollution level of Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in Okra, Spinach and Tomato grown in irrigation system of farming in Gudincin Town, Hadejia LGA of Jigawa State was investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The level of metals in the different parts of the vegetables for Okra, Spinach and Tomato are in the order Zn>Cu>Cr>Cd>Pb, Zn>Cr>Cu>Cd> Pb andZn>Cr>Cu>Cd>Pb respectively. The data obtained showed the translocation of the metals from the agricultural soil into the vegetables. The concentrations of heavy metals in the irrigated soil are in the order Cr>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. All the heavy metals in the vegetable samples were found to be within the permissible limit set by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the metals for all the samples were greater than unity (>1)with the exception of Cr (0.946), for spinach and Cr (0.883) for tomato. The translocation factor (TF) value of the metals were all >1 for all the samples with the exception of Pb (0.140) in spinach, indicating translocateton of metals to the aerial parts after absorption. According to the data obtained, tomato, spinach and okra may serve as hyperaccumulators for Zn, Cr, Cd and Cu, whereas spinach can serve as excluder for Pd. Based on the data gathered from the research, the pollution levels of the studied metals in the vegetables was low. Therefore, there is no health concern consuming the vegetables from this farm.

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BIODIESEL DERIVED FROM LANNEA MICROCARPA OIL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH FOSSIL DIESEL

Ibrahim Wada, Dalhatu Balarabe Yahaya, Isa Garba — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the present study, non-edible oil of Lannea microcarpa was extracted through the use of a mechanical press and biodiesel was produced from the extracted oil in two steps reactions of esterification and alkali-catalyzed trans-esterification. The percentage oil and biodiesel yield were found to be 46.15% and 90.63%wt respectively. The physico-chemical properties of the biodiesels were investigated and comparatively analysed to ascertain the suitability of this biodiesel to replace fossil diesel. The physico-chemical properties evaluated were also compared with reported values in the literature. The results showed that L. microcarpa biodiesel had density (0.8965g/cm³), kinematics viscosity (6.00 mm²/s), cetane number (41.98), flash point (128⁰C), fire point (140⁰C), calorific value (38.5 MJ/kg), cloud point (5⁰C), pour point (-9.5⁰C), iodine value (120gI/100g), saponification value (240mgKOH/g), carbon residue (0.50%) and ash content (0.03%). It was revealed that, seven out of the twelve assessed properties conformed to ASTM standard but iodine value, calorific value, cetane number, carbon residue and ash content deviated slightly with negligible differences. It was also noted that, the density, viscosity, cetane number, calorific value, ash content and carbon residue of fossil diesel were found to be slightly better than those of the biodiesel. Conversely, the biodiesel exhibited slightly better cloud point, pour point, flash point, and fire point than fossil diesel. Hence, Lannea microcarpa biodiesel considered to met the specified standard recommendations for suitably used in conventional diesel engines.

QUALITY EVALUATION OF BREAD MADE FROM SWEET POTATOES AND WHEAT COMPOSITE FLOUR

Olumuyiwa Babarinsa , Oladotun Oguntoyinbo, Victor Effiong , Ibijoke Otesile — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sweet potato is a source of protein and energy in the human diet. To increase its industrial application, sweet potato flour (SPF) has been produced for use in bakery products. The effect of inclusion of SPF in bread making at different wheat-potato blend ratios was studied. SPF was produced by washing, peeling, blanching, cutting, drying and milling (in that order) of the freshly harvested potato roots. Bread samples were produced from the blend of SPF and wheat flour at the following ratios: 5:95, 10:90, 15:85 and 20:80 respectively with bread from 100% wheat serving as control. Proximate analysis, anti-nutrient analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the bread samples while the wet gluten content and water absorption capacity was carried out on the flour sample. The result of the proximate composition showed that, as SPF percentage increased, moisture, protein, fat and fibre of bread increased while ash and carbohydrate decreased. Wet gluten decreased and water absorption capacity increased as the SPF increased with values ranging from 20.11 - 10.00g/100g and 50.65 - 80.65ml/100g respectively. The phytate, tannins and phenolic content were at the range of 0.10 - 0.27mg/g, 0.09 - 0.28mg/g, and 0.27 - 0.31mg/100g respectively. For sensory evaluation, though the control sample was the most preferred, no panellist showed a dislike for any attribute evaluated in the substituted samples. Hence, SPF could be used to substitute up to 20% of wheat flour in bread making without adversely affecting the quality or acceptance of the bread.

ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SILICA CELLULOSE NANOCOMPOSITE (SiO2-CNC) EXTRACTED FROM BIO-WASTE (RICE HUSK) INTEGRATED WITH CALLISTEMON CITRINUS EXTRACT

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Recent research has focused on more complex uses, such as the extraction of silica cellulose nanocomposite from rice husks, which has potential as a way to create high-tech materials. The work describes the successful isolation, characterization, and assessment of rice husk-derived silica cellulose nanocomposite (SiO₂-CNC) with Callistemon citrinus extract integration. The synthesis process consisted of three principal operations: delignification with alkaline treatment, sodium hypochlorite bleaching, and concentrated sulphuric acid hydrolysis. The prepared nanocomposite was analyzed by EDX, SEM, TEM, FTIR, spectrophotometry, and thermal analysis (DTA/TGA). EDX studies showed a composite material with elemental silica (40.20%), carbon (20.76%), silver (10.57%), and zinc (8.50%) in significant proportions. The sophisticated material structure with uniform porous networks was demonstrated by SEM analysis, while the presence of nanoparticles sized from 2.70 to 6.37 nm was confirmed by TEM. Thermal analysis showed distinct decomposition steps beyond 250^oC, and material stability was observed up to these temperatures. FTIR spectroscopy verified the functional groups in SiO₂-CNC and the rice husk extract, while UV analysis showed strong absorption in the 200-230 nm range. Callistemon citrinus extract showed the ability to enhance the antioxidant properties of SiO₂-CNC, which was observable in DPPH and ABTS assays. The integrated composite showed significant DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. These findings demonstrate the successful conversion of agricultural waste into a value-added nanocomposite with enhanced functional properties, offering potential application in antioxidant delivery systems, and advanced materials development. This research contributes to sustainable nanomaterial development while addressing agricultural waste management challenges.

POLYMORPHISMS WITHIN THE EXON 3 REGION OF IGF1 GENE OF TWO SAVANNAH MUTURU POPULATIONS IN NIGERIA USING RFLP MARKER

Enoche Faith Antenyi, Ojoh Michael Momoh, Noah Edson Terhemen Tor — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The IGF1 gene (insulin-like growth factor 1) is a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection strategies. This study was designed to identify and analyze various genetic diversity indices within exon 3 region of IGF1 gene in two Nigerian Savannah Muturu cattle populations using PCR-RFLP. 20 Muturu cattle were randomly sampled with 11 samples from Tarka in Benue State and 9 samples from Onueke in Ebonyi State. About 0.2ml of blood was collected from the coccygeal vein of the tail-head of the selected cattle with the use of 1-inch, 18-gauge classic needle and syringe. The blood samples obtained from each cattle was used for DNA extraction and amplification following standard procedures (www.whatman.com). The amplified DNA were digested with the use of SnaB1enzyme and the resultant DNA fragments subjected to Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Two genotypes (CC and CT) were identified. The genotypic frequencies were 0.95 for CC and 0.05 for CT. A total of 10 Alleles were found with lengths ranging from 300 to 440 base pairs. The allelic frequency ranged from 0.025 to 0.200. The mean number of alleles (Na), mean number of effective alleles (Ne), mean information index (I), mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) and mean expected heterozygosity (He) were 5.000 ±1.000, 3.700 ±0.700, 1.416 ±0.202, 0.045 ±0.045 and 0.720 ±0.053 respectively. This study demonstrates low level of genetic diversity therefore, there is need for genetic improvement and conservation considering the endangered nature of the Muturu cattle breed.

DETERMINATION OF ADULT PATIENT SKIN ENTRANCE AND EFFECTIVE DOSES FOR SOME SELECTED X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION IN NIGER STATE

Abdullahi Muhammad, J. A. Lazarus, A. A. Ibrahim, M. S. Shehu — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The ionizing radiation exposure to patients receiving standard X-ray examinations was evaluated in this paper. To make sure the patient's X-ray dose was within an acceptable range, the skin entrance dose (SED) and effective dose (ED), which determine the amount of absorbed radiation dose to the body, were measured. The mean SED and ED results were then compared with the international standard threshold values. Caldose_x 5.0 software was employed to examine the Skin Entrance Dose (SED) and effective dose (ED) of seven types of routine X-ray examinations in three public hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria. The routine examinations are: cervical spine (AP/LAT), thoracic spine (AP), pelvis (AP), thorax (PA/LAT) and lumber spine (AP). For each projection, the X-ray tube supplied a constant potential (no ripple), with X-ray emission angle of 17^o and a total filtration of 2.5 mm aluminum (Al). 229 patients diagnostic X-ray were examined with approximately 52 % male and 48 % female. In other to calculate patients’ SED and ED using Caldose_x, patients’ data such as age, sex, projection, type of examination, mAs and kVp were inputed. The output mean SED and ED were compared with internationally established diagnostic reference levels and published results. The estimated mean SED were 0.23, 1.99, 1.09, 0.38, 3.95, 0.24, 0.41 mGy and the mean ED were 0.05, 0.65, 0.06, 0.02, 0.35, 0.05, 0.03 mSv, for the seven examination projection. The Caldose_x software analysis of routine X-ray examinations revealed that the SED and ED values were largely in agreement with international standards.

SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION AND EFFICACY OF BIOGENIC SYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING SECONDARY METABOLITE OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ON SELECTED PATHOGENS

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Bacteria resistance to conventional antibiotics has made researchers look for other possible alternatives which include the use of nanoparticles, plant extracts, production of bacteriocin, organic acids etc. This study is focused on biosynthesizing AgNPs using secondary metabolite of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, characterize and evaluate its effectiveness against selected bacteria pathogens. FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM analyses were used to characterize, agar disk diffusion method was employed for antibacterial sssay. Bacterial pathogens used include Escherichia coli, Serratia liquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Yersinia enterica and K. oxytoca. Colour change to dark brown indicates AgNPs synthesis. UV-vis spectrophotometer revealed peak absorbance 2.082 A at 410 nm, FTIR analysis revealed highest peak at 3458.58. Synthesized AgNPs size obtained ranged between 10.02 nm and 1.47 nm. Antibacterial assay result showed that AgNPs was effective against seven pathogens with P. aeruginosa (21.7 mm) as the most susceptible. E. coli and K. oxytoca were the most resistant with susceptibility to one antibiotic each while E. coli showed little susceptibility to AgNPs. All isolates showed resistance to more than half of the antibiotics used hence making them multidrug-resistant strains. In this study, it was observed that AgNPs were as effective as the antibiotics used.

KANO STATE COMMERCIAL BOTANICAL GARDENS: ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS GROWN THEREIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF VARIOUS HUMAN AILMENTS

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Kano state metropolis is rich in botanical gardens operated by non-governmental bodies which are mostly located along the roadside. Their services are not limited to buying and selling of ornamental plants but also growing medicinal plants for herbal medicine. This study was undertaken to identify medicinal plants in commercial botanical gardens of Kano metropolis as well as to document their medicinal practices by the inhabitants of the study area. Various botanical gardens were identified by snowball sampling and the respondents provided information via a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 55 respondents participated in this study and most of them fall between the age of 21-30 years. They divulged the use of 53 medicinal plants in herbal medicine. The plants were reported to be used in the treatments 21 disease conditions including typhoid, malaria, hypertension, infection, pile, skin diseases etc. The plants with highest frequency index include Mangifera indica, Psidium guajaba, Senna siamae, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Dodonaea viscosa, Musa paradisiaca, Syzygium cumini, Moringa oleifera Lam, Carica papaya, Acalypha wilkesiana, Citrus limon and Terminalia catappa. In addition, most of the medicinal plants in the gardens were found to be exotic plants (62%) and are grown for ornamental purposes (35 plants). Decoction and oral administration were the most mentioned method of preparation and administration respectively. Growing of our indigenous plants in the gardens is recommended for their conservation and sustainable development.

AN ENHANCED HYBRID MODEL COMBINING LSTM, RESNET, AND AN ATTENTION MECHANISM FOR CREDIT CARD FRAUD DETECTION

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:52:49 +0000

Credit card fraud detection has become a critical challenge for financial institutions due to the increasing prevalence of fraudulent activities in digital transactions. This study proposes a novel hybrid model that integrates ResNet for spatial feature extraction, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for capturing temporal dependencies, and an Attention Mechanism to prioritize significant features. The model addresses key challenges such as class imbalance, scalability, and adaptability to evolving fraud patterns. Using the IEEE-CIS fraud detection dataset, the study demonstrates significant improvements in fraud detection performance. Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE) is applied to balance the dataset, ensuring the model effectively identifies rare fraudulent transactions while reducing false positives and negatives. Comparative analysis shows that the proposed framework achieves superior results, including a precision of 96%, recall of 92%, and an F1-score of 93.97%, outperforming benchmark models by a significant margin. The integration of attention mechanisms enhances interpretability, while advanced evaluation metrics like Shapley Additive explanations (SHAP) and Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) provide insights into the model's decision-making process. The findings highlight the proposed model's potential as a robust, scalable, and interpretable solution for real-world credit card fraud detection. Recommendations for future research include expanding validation across diverse datasets, exploring advanced architecture like Transformers, and enhancing computational efficiency for real-time deployment. This study establishes a strong foundation for improving fraud detection systems and contributes to advancing machine learning methodologies in financial security applications.

AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY AMONG WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE IN DOKA, KACHIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

Monday A. Dakare, M. Adamson, Z. K. Muhammad-Idris, H. M. Ashafa — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:18:40 +0000

Pregnancy requires a proper nutrition schedule as it is of major importance for one’s health and well-being and during a critical time period as child bearing, a woman undergoes major biological, physical, psychological and social transformations that her body has to keep up with. Deficiency of micro and macronutrient predispose the fetus to neural tube defects, preterm birth, and low birth weight for gestational age. This study aims to create awareness on the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy among women of childbearing age in Doka, Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna, Kaduna State. This study uses a cross-sectional and descriptive design, 80 women of childbearing age were randomly selected from Doka, Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna, Kaduna State. The collated data was statistically analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The result reveals that most (36.25%) of the respondents were within the age range of 20-24years with a larger (41.25%) percentage of the respondent having secondary education. Educational level and age are risk factors for pregnant women, especially young adults. Most of the selected respondents have some level of awareness on nutrition during pregnancy In conclusion, our conceptualization of nutrition awareness has shown to be fruitful in ascertaining the understanding level of the respondents which can help in contributing to the pregnancy outcome when due.

BIOREMEDIATION: A SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE FOR REMEDIATING TANNERY EFFLUENT-CONTAMINATED SOIL

Aminu Muhammad Gusau, Aminu Yusuf Fardami — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Tannery effluent poses significant risks to soil health, primarily through contamination with heavy metals like chromium, sulphides, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These toxic substances inhibit microbial activity, reducing nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition essential for soil fertility. Beneficial microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, are particularly affected, leading to altered microbial communities dominated by less advantageous, metal-tolerant species. Accumulation of POPs and heavy metals disrupts soil enzymatic activities, interferes with plant root growth, and complicates remediation efforts due to pollutant migration to groundwater and potential entry into the food chain. Prolonged exposure to such contaminants diminishes soil fertility, reduces resilience, and disrupts ecosystem services, posing threats to agricultural productivity and environmental health. This review was aimed to outline what made bioremediation a superior treatment technology among other methods used in remediating tannery effluent contaminated soil. Efforts to mitigate tannery effluent impacts involve a combination of physical, chemical, and biological remediation technologies. Physical methods like soil washing, flushing, and thermal desorption focus on removing or isolating contaminants, while chemical approaches such as oxidation, reduction, and stabilization transform pollutants to less harmful forms or immobilize them. Biological remediation leverages microorganisms and plants to detoxify contaminants sustainably. Bioremediation strategies with aid of bioaugmentation and biostimulation do enhance microbial activity to address organic and inorganic pollutants effectively more than physical and chemical methods. Another excellent bioremediation technology called phytoremediation can also address organic and inorganic pollutants effectively, Achieving better remediation technique should be coupled with stringent industrial regulations, sustainable tanning methods, and stakeholder awareness