FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Desmond Nomaren Idehen, Francisca Avuwa Egbokhare, Veronica Viola N. Akwukwuma — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In today's organizational landscape, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating rapid decision-making processes. The extent of ICT investment and implementation has emerged as a critical determinant of organizational success, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. The shift towards remote operations and processes, driven by COVID-19 protocols, has underscored the importance of ICT devices and tools in ensuring organizational success, regardless of size. This research examines the workplace limitations of human resource management within a higher educational institution. Specifically, it investigates job roles and the utilization of computers in achieving organizational objectives. The findings reveal significant inefficiencies stemming from misalignment between staff job roles and their training, leading to underutilization of their skills and potentials. This paper presents preliminary study highlighting the workplace limitations of human resources in higher educational institutions, emphasizing the need for strategic realignment and utilization of human capital to optimize organizational performance.

CHEMICAL EVALUATION AND YIELD ESTIMATE OF ALLUVIAL SEDIMENTS OF FIVE MAJOR RIVERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA FOR GLASS RAW MATERIALS

Adesoji A. Ibrahim, B. A. Jolly, J. Ochepo — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Alluvial sands are detrital materials which are transported by a river and deposited, usually temporarily, at points along the flood plain of the river. These sands are majorly consumed in construction industries, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. However, with value addition, it could have a high value-to-mass ratio. The alluvial sands of five major rivers in southwestern Nigeria were investigated. A total of 51 samples were collected along the channels of River Yewa, River Ogun, River Ona, River Osun, and River Shasha during the dry season in 2024. The objectives were to: assess the major chemical composition of alluvial sand vis-à-vis specification requirements for various glass industries; determine the beneficiation requirements where necessary for the silica sand to meet specification; and determine the tonnage of sediments and silica yields per year. The samples were analysed using (XRF) and XRD. The mean percentage of major oxides for the five rivers are SiO₂ 75.78%, TiO₂ 1.97%, Al₂O₃ 8.96%, Fe₂O₃ 4.45%, MnO 0.27%, MgO 1.25%, CaO 2.49%, Na₂O 0.08%, P₂O₅ 0.52%, Cr₂O₃ 0.23%, and LOI 9.79%. Based on the chemical specification, it was found that the sands are not suitable for the production of first-quality glass materials. However, they are suitable for glass wool, optical glass, flat glass, glass ceramic, container glass etc. based on Best Available Techniques BAT, (2013). The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) was adopted to estimate the sediment yield of all the rivers. The average sediment yield of all the rivers was estimated at 2772.64t/km²/yr. Out of which...

AN INTEGRATED REMOTE SENSING, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM AND ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS FOR DETERMINATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL IN KEFFI-GRA AND ENVIRONS

Mahmud A. Modibbo, A. A. Kana, I. E. Bello, A. I. Eya — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Water, a universal solvent, is indispensable to all and has no adversary. The study area has experienced minimal depletion of some groundwater points, specifically boreholes. The groundwater potential of Keffi-GRA and its environs was assessed using remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods/techniques. These methods were adopted due to their ability to offer improved accuracy, visualization, reduced time and costs, and enhanced decision-making. The remotely sensed data used were Landsat 8 OLI (30 meters resolution) and SRTM DEM (30 meters resolution), while the GIS analysis was carried out on Arcgis Pro. The GIS analysis helped in delineating six thematic Map layers that influence the occurrence of groundwater (land use/land cover, slope, drainage density, water table, elevation, and rainfall); they were generated and weighted based on their importance using AHP. All the influencing factors were integrated and computed using the weighted overlay analysis tool on the software to generate the groundwater potential zones, five (5) zones where delineated, which reveals the area coverage of groundwater potential as 466m²/0.47km² (very low) covering 2.6% portion, 5,384m²/5.38km² (low) covering 29.23% portion, 3,416m²/3.42km² (moderate) covering 18.85% portion, 7,357m²/7.36km² (high) covering 40.68% portion, and 1,514m²/1.51km² (very high) covering 8.3% portion. To validate the results, a total of 90 groundwater points of boreholes and 20 hand-dug wells were used as validation points. Hence, the results from remote sensing, geographic information systems, and the analytical hierarchy process indicate the study area to have a moderate to high groundwater potential, with minor variations...

REGRESSION ESTIMATION AND FEATURE SELECTION USING MODIFIED CORRELATION-ADJUSTED ELASTIC NET PENALTIES

Olayiwola Babarinsa, Helen Edogbanya, Ovye Abari, Isaac Adeniyi — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Regularized regression techniques such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic-net, and the type 1 and type 2 correlation adjusted elastic-net (CAEN1 and CAEN2 respectively) are used for simultaneously carrying out variable selection and estimation of coefficients in machine learning. Modified estimators based on the CAEN1 and CAEN2 are proposed in this study by rescaling the estimates to undo the double shrinkage incurred due to the application of two penalties. The scale factors are derived by decomposing the correlation matrix of the predictors. The derived scale factors, which depend on the magnitude of correlations among the predictors, ensure that the elastic-net is included as a special case. Estimation is carried out using a robust worst-case quadratic solver algorithm. Simulations show that the proposed estimators referred to as corrected correlation adjusted elastic-net (CCAEN1 and CCAEN2) perform competitively with the CAEN1, CAEN2, LASSO, and elastic-net in terms of variable selection, estimation and prediction accuracy with CCAEN1 yielding the best results when the number of predictors is more than the number of observations and CCAEN2 producing the best performance when there is grouping effect, where highly correlated predictors tend to be included in or excluded from the model together. Applications to two real-life datasets further demonstrate the advantage of the proposed methods for machine learning.

SELECTING AN ADEQUATE MODEL FOR TIME SERIES DECOMPOSITION WHEN THE TREND CURVE IS QUADRATIC

Dennis Enegesele, Godspower Eriyeva, Thomas Ejemah — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Buys-Ballot (B-B) approach for the decomposition of additive and multiplicative models in descriptive time series (TS) was examined in this paper. The selection of an adequate model is very important as it shows the underlying structure of the series because the fitted model will be used for future forecasting. Mis-specifying the model characteristics of the data is consequential and can result in biased tests and false predictions The Buys-Ballot method was demonstrated for the selection of an appropriate model and a statistical test that will aid in the selection between additive and multiplicative models was proposed when the trending curve is quadratic. The model identified was used for the forecast. Using the B-B technique, the column variances for the additive model do not contain the seasonal effect while that of the multiplicative model contains the seasonal effect. This distinction was then applied to select between additive and multiplicative models. The chi-square test was proposed for the selection between additive and multiplicative models for the decomposition of TS data. The results when applied to a quadratic trend curve reveal that the appropriate model for the decomposition of the data is the additive model as all calculated chi-square values are within the chi-square acceptance region based on a two-tail test at a 1% level of significance. The additive model identified was then used to decompose the series and the trend analysis model was used for the forecast of the series. The chi-square test was proposed to justify the Buys-Ballot method for...

X (FORMALLY TWITTER) PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION USING NAÏVE BASE

Cynthia E. Orie, A. O. Egwali, F. I. Amadin — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Finding polarities in a textual data is very important in sentiment analysis. Navie Bayes is one of the most effective machine learning classifier techniques and a probabilistic classier that applies Bayes theorem and assuming feature independence for the classification of data. The objective of this research is to implement the Naïve Bayes algorithm for the classification of sentiment in the context of X (Formally Twitter) product classification. Our aim is developing a model that can conveniently classify product-related text into positive and negative sentiment categories. The process begins with the collection of customer product reviews from X (Formally Twitter) and vectorizing each reviews making a long array of unique words, whose attributes include the independent vectors while assigned values are the number of times each independent vector appear in the product review. We had a total of one hundred and thirty-three (133) unique words in the training set for both the positive and Negative statements of which ten (10) documents were with positive (+) outcomes and ten (10) documents were with negative (-) outcomes. From the product reviews we derived the probability of each positive outcomes of independent word, probability of each negative outcomes of independent words and then the probability of each word in the product review. Our results shows that the naïve bayes classifier is a good classification technique and will be effective for both large and small businesses in making decisions related to their product development, marketing campaigns and customer support.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS ON MORINGA OLEIFERA FROM SOUTHERN KADUNA, NIGERIA

Esther B. Yawuck, G. A. Allems — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Consuming medicinal herbs like Moringa oleifera that contains high levels of heavy metals can lead to major health issues. Moringa oleifera leaves obtained from Ambam (Jama'a LGA) and Maro (Kajuru LGA) in Kaduna State, Nigeria, were subjected to an AAS analysis to determine the content of heavy metals and associated health risk. Fe 7.627 mg/kg Pb 0.598 mg/kg, Ni 0.454 mg/kg, Mn 0.451 mg/kg, Zn 0.333 mg/kg, Cu 0.286 mg/kg, Cr 0.191 mg/kg were the order of metal concentrations in Moringa oleifera from Ambam. Maro metal concentrations trend follows a different order: Cd has the lowest concentration at 0.035 mg/kg, followed by Fe 3.453 mg/kg, Mn 0.601 mg/kg, Pb 0.505 mg/kg, Ni 0.327 mg/kg, Zn 0.262 mg/kg, Cu 0.221 mg/kg, and Cr 0.155 mg/kg. Ambam and Maro have Cd, Ni, and Mn concentrations below the WHO recommended acceptable range of 0.1 to 5.00 mg/kg. While Pb is over the WHO established permitted limit of 0.3mg/kg, the concentration of Cr in both Ambam and Maro was found to be within the limit of 0.2 to 2.0.3mg/kg. Consuming Moringa oleifera from this area may pose risk of cancer because the THQ values of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb were found to be greater than 1. The consumption of Moringa oleifera from the study regions may have a negative impact on the health of adult consumers, as indicated by the health index (HI) values of 43.7222 and 35.2028 at Ambam and Maro, respectively.

EXPLORING GEOTHERMAL ZONES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA USING LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE DATA FROM REMOTE SENSING

Joseph Aza Ahile, Osita Chukwudi Meludu, Adetola Sunday Oniku — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nigeria is still unable to meet even the most basic of its energy needs, this lack of power is most evident in houses located in the North-Central and North-East areas. This paper focused on evaluating geothermal potential through remote sensing techniques in parts of Northern Nigeria. Four digital elevation model (DEM) scenes, three Landsat-9(OLI-2/TIR-2) with minimum zero or minimum cloud cover (<6%), and Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite images for the research region were processed using ArcMap 10.7.1, Google Earth Pro, and QGIS 3.36.3. The linear correlation analysis performed between Landsat LST and MODIS LST images showed a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.907). Anomalously high lineament density correlates with high land surface temperature, dominantly in the basement complex of the study area; it's possible that the fracturing will increase the permeability, enabling warm or hot springs to rise to the surface. Fault lines that permit the movement of hot/warm water to the Earth's surface can be linked to active geothermal zones. The stream/rivers in or around the targeted high LST are probably thermal springs, as they were overlaid on the LST, and high-temperature spots(>28⁰) were identified. The regions around Jibam, Langtang, Aikri, Adikpo, Shemdam, and Ashinge prove to be areas where warm or hot springs can be located.

PROPERTIES OF SURFACE WATER; ADSORPTION KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF ARSENIC AND LEAD IONS REMOVAL USING A MATRIX TECHNIQUE

Abidemi Iyewumi Demehin, John Olugbemiga Awotunde, Isaiah I. Oke — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this article, the effectiveness of adsorption techniques in removing arsenic(As) and lead(Pb) ions from the typical heavy metals contaminated surface (T_ac) of the Aponmu River at different pH values (7.2, 6.4, 3.2 and 11.5) was determined using powdered eggshell. The initial dosage of selected water characteristics (pH, dissolved Oxygen, chloride, suspended solids, turbidity, As, dissolved oxygen (DO), Pb, and chemical oxygen demand (COD)) of the raw water was determined. The findings established that the average dosages of the selected pollutants were 6.48, 88.73 mgl^-1, 255.67 mgl^-1, 97.44 mgl^-1, 290.44 NTU, 0.79 mgl^-1, 0.55 mgl^-1, 3.71 mgl^-1 and 188.36 mg-1, for pH, dissolved Oxygen, chloride, suspended solids, turbidity, As, Pb, DO, and COD, respectively. In the case of adsorption, P_e was able to remove 99.98 % and 99.99 % of As and Pb dosage, respectively. Adsorption kinetics were in the range of 0.12878 and 0.37051, 0.0782 and 0.31757 for As and Pb respectively. It was concluded that adsorption mechanisms for these selected toxic pollutants (As and Pb) were mainly ion exchange and precipitation.

ON NONLINEAR BIHARMONIC DISPERSIVE WAVE EQUATIONS

Sadiq Shehu Sabo, Umar Muhammad Dauda, Sunday Babuba, Abba Ibrahim Bakari — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper proposes and studies particular nonlinear dispersive biharmonic equation, whose related equations appear in various physical phenomena such as wave propagation in nonlinear media and plasma physics. We chose the power kind of nonlinearity as it is common in these areas. We show that the linear version exhibits strong dispersive behaviour while the nonlinear version reveals possible emergence of singularities for higher degree nonlinearity exponent . Both versions of the equation, linear and nonlinear, were solved analytically where for the latter we use perturbation approach and Fourier transform for the former. A glimpse towards the symmetry analysis of the underlying equations is provided and somewhat insights into the behaviour of the solution is discussed.

AGRICULTURE TEACHER’S PERCEPTION OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM: A CASE STUDY OF ZURU, KEBBI STATE

Aliyu Yusuf, Imran Sidi Bamalli — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of the study was to assess how agricultural teachers view the importance of agricultural mechanization within the agricultural education curriculum in secondary schools in Zuru Local Government, Kebbi State. Four research objectives with correspondent research questions were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Ten (10) secondary schools were purposely selected for the study across the study areas out of which two (2) were private schools. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) agricultural science teachers from the sampled schools. Questionnaire with four point rating scale was used to elicit responses from the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. The results revealed a positive perception held by secondary school teachers regarding the concepts in agricultural mechanization education with the overall mean of 3.52 that was above the 2.50 cut of point on a four point rating scale among others. Based on the findings, it is recommended that efforts should be made to improve agricultural mechanization curriculum by incorporating the rejected instructional areas, training workshops and capacity-building programs should be organized for secondary school teachers to deepen their understanding and ability to teach mechanized farming concepts effectively.

SCREENING FOR AFLATOXIGENIC FUNGI IN STORED AND OPEN MARKET GRAINS IN POTISKUM, NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Suleiman Gide, Sabo Mohammed Abdulkarim, Lawal Danjuma — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Fungal and aflatoxin contaminations of grains pose a significant risk to human health as well as animal health hence the need to screen for the presence of aflatoxigenic fungi in grains. Isolation and identification of fungi associated with grains was carried out on 50 samples including rice, millet, wheat, sorghum, barley, maize and sesame obtained from local grain markets and stores in Potiskum. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Neutral red desiccated coconut agar (NRCDA) were used for isolation and direct visual determination of aflatoxigenic fungi respectively. Fungal isolates were then screened qualitatively for aflatoxin B1 production by inoculating a pinch of mycelia onto the centre of NRDCA plates. Seven fungi species belonging to the four genera were identified. These include Rhizoctonia, Botrytis sp, Fusarium, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus paraciticus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger. The most predominant fungal genus isolated from stored and open grains markets was Aspergillus. Aspergillus flavus had the highest detection frequency in both stored grain (4, 28.57%) and open grains (2, 40.0%). A. flavus isolated from stored sorghum, maize and sesame exhibited very bright blue fluorescence followed by A. parasiticus isolated from stored red sorghum which exhibited moderate bluish white fluorescence. The aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species 31.58% (n=6) were significantly correlated with qualitative results obtained from NRCDA plates. Isolates from samples with positive results for aflatoxin B1 detection and having blue fluorescence showed amplification of two target genes. Similarly, 14.29% (n=2) of the non-aflatoxigenic isolates were negative for the two genes.

PARENTS/CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN’S AGED UNDER FIVE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TOWARDS SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Z. U. Chindo, M. S. Pukuma, M. A. Qadeer, N. Enock, L. M. Augustine — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are included in the listof the world's neglected tropical diseases. The STHs include the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichiura, the hookworms, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis. The study was aimed to determine parents/car-givers of under-five children’s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards STHs in Taraba State, Nigeria. STHs infection is among the most chronic diseases globally. Because of its impact on human health, the WHO recommended the carrying out of robust approaches targeted at controlling or eliminating disease. The execution of this approach depends on the vivid understanding of the parent’s/caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to this infection. A cross-sectional survey was conducted and data were assembled with the aid of a standardized questionnaires from 2,283 caregivers of under-five children. Extensive focus group discussions were carried out among parents/caregivers and the collected data were analysed thematically. Out of the six selected LGAs in Taraba State, highest albendazole coverage of 193(50.79%) was recorded in Bali LGA and least (47.89%) was recorded in Jalingo LGA. More so, a total STH prevalence of 3.29% was recorded among under-5 children who were dewormed six months ago before the survey period and 12.52% was also recorded among under-5 children who were not dewormed. Findings from this study also reflected adequate knowledge and attitudes with bad practices in connection to STHs among parents/caregivers while recognition of soil-transmitted helminths was high (94.2%). These reports are important in planning behavioural change approaches towards improving health results across community-based involvement...

EFFECTS OF GRADED DILUTED DOSES OF GRAMOXONE HERBICIDE ON PROGESTERONE, TESTOSTERONE, ALBUMIN AND TOTAL PROTEIN OF MALE AND FEMALE ALBINO RATS (Rattus norvegicus)

Erhomarhua Victor Agbeyi, Patrick Suit Oghenerhoro — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The use of herbicides no matter how diluted it maybe, may have physiological effects on mammals. This work tends to examine the effects dilution factor of 10⁴ of a 10-fold serial dilution of gramoxon herbicide graded into 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg body weight, orally administered to twenty male and twenty female rats has on progesterone, testosterone, albumin and total protein of the rats. The weights of the rats ranges between 79 -119g and were divided randomly into group A, B, C and D. Each group has 10 animals, 5 male and 5 female. Group A is the control. Group A, B.C and D were fed with feed and water ad libitum. Group B, C and D were administered 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75mg/kg bw dose respectively. After 28 days the rats were sacrificed and blood collected into EDTA bottles for laboratory assessment. Computer based ANOVA excel showed that albumin and total protein revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in group B (0.25mg/kg bw), C (0.5mg/kg bw) and D (0.75mg/kg bw) in both sex compared with control. Testosterone and progesterone level showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) compared with control in group B, C and D. The results clearly indicated that gramoxon herbicide has biochemical and reproductive effects on albino rats even at 10-fold dilution.

STUDY OF THE THERMO-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE/GRANITE PARTICULATES COMPOSITES AS DENTAL IMPLANTS

M. Abdulwahab, T. Mojisola, H. A. Lawal — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study focuses on the development of a composite material for potential dental applications by investigating the influence of granite particulate (GTP) loading on the physical properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix. This was achieved by washing the granite in distilled water, followed by drying and then ball milling for 72 hours. Subsequently, the powdered granite was combined with polypropylene (PP) in a two-roll mill compounder at a temperature of 150°C for 5 minutes. Five distinct samples with varying GTP percentages ranging from 10% to 50 wt. % were produced. The samples were thereafter subjected to testing for various physical properties such as density, thermal conductivity and diffusivity, specific heat capacity etc. Standard analytical techniques such as DSC and TGA were employed to analyze the sample. It was observed from the obtained results that sample containing 50 wt. % PP/GTP demonstrates enhanced properties of such as thermal degradation resistance of 75.23 % as compared to 94 % weight loss of the other tested weight ratios, thereby making it a choice candidate for potential applications in dentistry.

BACTERIOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL COMPLIANCE OF PACKAGED WATER SOLD IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated the quality of sachet and bottled water sold in Ilorin, Nigeria. Water samples were procured from selling points, and their physicochemical and bacteriological quality was assessed using standard methods. The results showed that the respective physicochemical parameters for sachet and bottle waters: temperature (26.6 °C and 23.9 °C), electrical conductivity (142.0 µs/cm and 111.0 µs/cm), total dissolved solids (68.5 mg/L and 58.0 mg/L), pH (7.5 and 7.3), and salinity (0.05 and BDL) of both sachet and bottled water samples respectively were within the permissible range recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Bacteriological analysis revealed that total heterotrophic bacterial counts (52.5*^Z ± 4.7 and 35.0^Z ± 0.9) for sachet and bottled water samples were within WHO limits; however, total coliform counts (51.50*^Z ± 2.6 and 33.5^Z ± 1.5) exceeded the acceptable range of 0 CFU/mL. Seven bacterial isolates identified were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Bacillus subtilis. The number of bacterial isolates in bottled water was higher, with Klebsiella spp. being the most prevalent. The findings suggest varying degrees of microbiological contamination, indicating that some packaged water samples are not of the highest quality. These results highlight the need for stricter monitoring and quality control measures to ensure the safety of packaged water.

OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTINASE PRODUCED BY ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS SS13 USING CITRUS PEEL

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pectinases have multipurpose applications in both industrial and biotechnological sectors. But they are expensive when available. This study was carried out to isolate fungi, screen them for pectinase activity, identify selected fungi isolate, mutate, optimize, produce, and characterize the partially purified pectinase. Aspergillus flavus SS13 was isolated using standard technique, it exhibited the highest pectinase activity of 36.0±0.3 mm zone of hydrolysis and it was identified based on its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. EMS mutated A. flavus SS13 had a pectinase activity of 40±0.2 U/mL, UV-mutated A. flavus SS13 exhibited 36.0±0.5 U/mL while the SA-mutated A. flavus SS13 showed pectinase activitiy of 35±0.4 U/mL, and unmutated A flavus SS13 had 28.0 ±0.2 U/mL at pH 3.0, temperature 40 °C and incubation period of 96 h utilizing orange peel as carbon. The partially purified pectinase of A. flavus SS13, A. flavus SS13-EMS, A. flavus SS13-UV, and A. flavus SS13-SA had between 1.3 to 1.5 fold purification and 26.0 to 30.0 % recovery. The partially purified pectinase of A. flavus SS13 wild type and the three mutants had improved activity in the presence of tween-80, while a significant pectinase activity was noted with cations such as Cu²⁺, Ca^2+, and K⁺ in all the three mutants’ enzyme while the ions of ammonium, cobalt, and sodium repressed pectinase activity in the wild type A. flavus SS13. The stability of the pectinase produced by the mutants at acidic pH and elevated temperature could be an added advantage for its diverse applications in the food, detergent,...

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANO-ENHANCED SOAP WITH ENHANCED PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

Aliyu Shehu, Oluwole Joshua Okunola, Uduma A. Uduma — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The development of nano-enhanced soap offers a groundbreaking approach to enhancing the physicochemical and antimicrobial attributes of conventional soaps. This study compared the prepared soap with two commercially available soaps, examining parameters such as physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy, and minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations. The physicochemical analysis indicated that the prepared soap met regulatory standards for pH, solubility, hardness, and total fatty matter (TFM), confirming its suitability for human use. Specifically, the produced soap exhibited the following properties: pH = 6.30±0.02, Hardness = 1.3±0.02 cm, Foamability = 6.9±0.02 cm, Solubility = 80±0.02 s, and Total Fatty Matter (TFM) = 55±2%. Despite slightly reduced foamability due to the absence of foam enhancers, the prepared soap retained effective cleaning capabilities. Antimicrobial testing using the disc diffusion method demonstrated the soap's broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal species, with efficacy increasing in a concentration-dependent manner. Unlike the two commercially available soaps used for comparison, which each exhibited high activity against specific pathogens, the prepared soap consistently inhibited all tested pathogens. This broad-spectrum activity highlights the superior antimicrobial properties of the prepared soap. It exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 mg/L and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 100 mg/L for all pathogens, outperforming the commercially available soaps. Overall, the prepared soap demonstrated enhanced physicochemical characteristics and balanced antimicrobial efficacy, positioning it as a versatile hygiene product capable of addressing a wide range of microbial infections. Its wide-spectrum activity against all pathogens and superior physicochemical properties underscore...

ENHANCING EMPLOYEE ATTRITION PREDICTION: THE IMPACT OF DATA PREPROCESSING ON MACHINE LEARNING MODEL PERFORMANCE

Muhammad Garba, Musa Usman, Muhammad Saidu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Organizations face a serious problem with employee attrition, which raises expenses and reduces productivity. This study looks at how preprocessing data can help machine learning models forecast employee turnover more accurately. Seven machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), XGBoost, Gradient Boosting, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), LightGBM, and Logistic Regression—were used to analyze the 1,470 records in the International Business Machines Human Resources (IBM HR). Employee Attrition dataset. SimpleImputer was used to handle missing values, StandardScaler was used to standardize numerical features, and SelectFromModel was used to choose important features. These actions were essential in improving the accuracy of the model; LDA had the highest accuracy of 87.38%, followed by LightGBM and Logistic Regression, both of which had 87% accuracy. All models' performance metrics were much enhanced by preprocessing; k-NN had the lowest accuracy, at 85.33%. These results demonstrate how important preprocessing is to predictive analytics and how HR management may use it to identify at-risk workers and create successful retention plans.

MECHANICAL AND VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COCONUT COIR FIBRE REINFORCED HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE FOR APPLICATION AS WALL TILE

O. A. Babatunde, P. E. Omale, Precious D. Iorver, U. V. Agbogo — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the effort to clean up the environment and transform plastic waste into valuable resources, the mechanical and thermal properties of a composite made from High- Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Coconut Coir Fiber (CCF) were examined to determine the optimal blending ratio for producing wall tiles. The Coconut Coir Fiber was treated with 10% w/v sodium hydroxide and mixed with waste HDPE using a roll melt mixing compression molding technique. The study assessed tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness. While the addition of coconut coir fiber improved the hardness of recycled HDPE, it did not enhance flexural or tensile strengths. The viscoelastic properties, evaluated using a 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer over a temperature range of 30°C to 130°C at frequencies of 2 Hz, 5 Hz, and 10 Hz, revealed that the composite exhibited better thermal stability at higher temperatures than waste HDPE.

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOLYTIC BACTERIA AND FUNGI FROM CASSAVA WASTE AND MILL SOIL

Majekodunmi Racheal Adedayo, Taofeek Olatunji Lateef — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The abundance of cellulose on earth, the need for its biodegradation and the various applications of cellulolytic enzymes in commercial settings have necessitated unrestrained research for novel cellulase producing indigenous microorganisms for local production of the enzyme to meet the ever-growing and enormous demand for it. Soil sample was collected from a cassava processing mill while freshly harvested cassava was peeled and steeped in water for five days. Cellulase degrading bacteria and fungi were isolated from the cassava mill soil and the liquid waste (Cassava steeped water) on nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar using pour plate method under standard laboratory conditions for 48 hours. The isolated bacteria and fungi were identified using cellular morphology and biochemical characteristics; they were screened for cellulolytic ability on carboxyl methyl cellulose media supplemented with 0.5% Congo red and incubated for 48 hours. The bacteria isolated were Escherichial coli, Pseudomonas and Bacillus species while the fungi isolates were Aspergillus fumigatus, flavus, terreus, niger, Rhizopus species and Trichodermal species. The isolated Pseudomonas species has the highest cellulolytic ability of (18.00 mm) in terms of diameter of zone of clearance on the Congo red media among the bacteria, then the Bacillus species (15.00 mm) while the least of 1.00 mm was in the E. coli isolated. Aspergillus terreus, fumigatus and niger were the isolates with highest cellulolytic ability with zones of clearance measuring 15.00, 13.00 and 13.00 mm respectively. Conclusively, the isolated Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Aspergillus species are promising organisms as potential enzyme cellulase producer.

ON THE LOMAX-UNIT TEISSIER DISTRIBUTION: PROPERTIES AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Lawali Halidu, Umar Usman, Ahmed Audu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this paper, a new modified continuous asymmetric probability distribution Lomax-Unit Teissier distribution (LxUTD) which extends the baseline Unit Teissier (UTD) distribution was developed. However, the new distribution is capable of handling an asymmetric data sets. Some statistical properties like moments, moment generating function, renyi entropy, quantile function, and order statistics was derived and presented theoretically. We also, proceed to test the validity of the new constructed continuous asymmetric probability distribution. A simulation was conducted to determine the efficiency of the estimated value by increasing the sample size. The result shows that when simulated or real life datasets are being used the new asymmetric probability distribution will give better fit than the competitive models.

MODIFIED INVERTED KUMARASWAMY DISTRIBUTION USING INVERSE POWER FUNCTION: PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the area of distribution theory, statisticians have proposed and developed new models for generalizing the existing ones to make them more flexible and to aid their application in a variety of fields. In this article, we present a new distribution called the Modified Inverted Kumaraswamy Distribution Using Inverse Power Function with three positive parameters, which extends the Inverted Kumaraswamy distribution with two parameters. Some statistical properties of the MIK distribution, such as explicit expressions for the quantile function, probability-weighted moments, moments, generating function, Reliability function, hazard function, and order statistics are discussed. A maximum likelihood estimation technique is employed to estimate the model parameters and the simulation study is presented. The superiority of the new distribution is illustrated with an application to a real data set. The results showed that the new distribution fits better in the real data set amongst the range of distributions considered.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RIDGE AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENT REGRESSION IN ADDRESSING MULTICOLLINEARITY

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Multicollinearity arises when two or more regressors are correlated in multiple linear regression model (MLRM) and in most cases, one regressor variable can be predicted from another. Multicollinearity majorly results in inefficient regression model estimates and poor performance of the regression model. However, multicollinearity problem can easily be handled using various methods such as ridge regression, lasso regression, principal components regression, etc. This study compared the effectiveness of two estimators in handling multicollinearity problem in a given dataset. The estimators being compared are ridge estimator (RE) and principal components estimator (PCE). This research uses secondary data obtained from World Bank database, International Monetary Fund (IMF) database, and the Nigerian Debt Management Office to compare the two approaches of handling multicollinearity problem in MLRM. The presence of multicollinearity in the dataset was established using the correlation matrix of predictors and the Variance Inflation Factors (VIF's). Then ridge regression and principal components regression methods were used to fit models to the dataset respectively and their mean squared errors (MSE) were obtained. The MSE was used as performance evaluation measure for the regression models. Both methods addressed the problem multicollinearity in the datasets but the ridge estimator performed better than PCE by having the smallest mean squared error.

BIOREMEDIATION OF PETROLEUM REFINERY EFFLUENTS USING MUTATED FUNGAL CONSORTIA: A CASE STUDY FROM KADUNA, NIGERIA

Said Hafsat Bala, Sani S. D. Mohammed, Jonathan Maiangwa, Nomsu Musa — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Bioremediation is a process of using naturally occurring species to break down hazardous substances into less harmful or non-toxic substances. Effluents from petroleum refinery pose a serious health hazard on the people who depend on the water as source of supply for domestic uses. To avoid health hazard, it is imperative for these toxic compounds to be removed from waste water before its disposal. The primary goal of this study was to carry out bioremediation of petroleum refinery effluents using mutant strains of fungal consortia. Refinery effluents were collected under the storage tank in Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, Kaduna, Nigeria. Effluent samples were analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). Standardization of the fungal consortium inoculum was prepared following standard method. The culture medium of each isolate of the mutated fungi Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor and A. quadrilineatus was carried out following standard procedure. The result of the GC-MS analysis revealed that cis-13-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester; 7-Hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester; 10-Octadecenoic acid, and Methyl stearate; showed the highest percentage quality of (99%) respectively. Bioremediation of Kaduna refinery effluents in this study indicated that, there was decline in the bioremediation parameters in the second week up to the fourth week whereby the COD, BOD all showed significant decrease. Based on the Gas Chromatographic (GC) analysis of the fungi consortium, the degradative ability of the mutants of Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus quadrilineatus were observed to be prominent.

AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF GASTROINTESTINAL ULCERS AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Taiwo Folajimi Akintade — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Awareness and knowledge of gastrointestinal ulcers among rural farming households are critical aspects of public health that can influence both prevention and early intervention strategies. Thus this study was conducted to assess the awareness and knowledge of rural farming household to gastrointestinal ulcer in Ondo State Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used in the selection of one hundred and twenty respondents for the study. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and regression analysis were used in analyzing the data for the study. Primary data for the study was collected with a questionnaire coupled with an interview schedule. The mean age of the respondents was 47 years. Majority (63.32%) of the respondents were males. The mean farming experience was 6 years. Mean farming household size was 8 while majority were married. The respondents also had a mean farm size of 4 hectares. The level of awareness and knowledge was relatively low. Also majority (70.3%) sourced their information from Co Farmers while the perception of the respondents was fairly moderate. The regression analysis showed that only means of information was not significant to the level of awareness of respondents to gastrointestinal ulcer. The study concludes that awareness and knowledge levels are low, necessitating targeted health education programs to improve rural household health outcomes. The study recommends that community health education program should be organized to teach rural household farmers about the causes, symptoms and treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer in the study area.

EFFICACIES OF CORROSION INHIBITION ABILITY OF SYNTHESIZED CUO NANOPARTICLES OF JATROPHA TANJORENSIS AND PRUNUS DOMESTICA LEAVES EXTRACTS ON MILD STEEL IN ACIDIC MEDIUM

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

HARNESSING INDIGENOUS FARMING KNOWLEDGE TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY AND LAND CONSERVATION IN MUBI NORTH LGA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Danjuma Ijudigal Garandi, Abbas Bashir, Mohammed Saadu Dasin — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigates the role of indigenous farming knowledge in conservation practices and sustainable food security in Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State. The research seeks to achieve through the following objectives, to assessed the extent to which indigenous farming practices contribute to conservation farming and examining their impact on food security. and to investigate the contributions of indigenous farming knowledge toward achieving sustainable food security in Mubi North LGA, Adamawa State. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, both primary and secondary data sourced were used, data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews of randomly selected 349 farmers and 15 agricultural officials in Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State sample size were determined using Cochran’s formula, Liker scale was employed for measuring respondents’ perception and Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, while hypothesis was tested using t-test analysis. Findings reveal a high awareness of indigenous techniques, particularly in soil preservation and crop diversity. A mean score of 4.47 highlights the effectiveness of traditional methods in restoring soil fertility, while a grand mean of 3.32 indicates farmers recognize the benefits of these practices for food safety and affordability. Notably, a t-test analysis indicates significant differences in perceptions between adopters and non-adopters of indigenous practices, emphasizing the positive effects on land conservation among those who adopt. The study concludes that indigenous farming knowledge plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security in the region. Recommendations include enhancing education and training for farmers, innovating traditional storage methods, and strengthening support networks...

PREVALENCE OF FASCIOLOSIS AND DICROCOELIOSIS IN SLAUGHTERED SHEEP AND GOATS IN BAUCHI ABATTOIR, BAUCHI STATE, NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Markus Chongmobmi, A. A. Gamawa, Y. Usman, Y. Nuhu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sheep and goats are a major contributor of protein in the Nigerian livestock industry. Their productivity is greatly hampered by helminths which account for enormous economic losses. In view of this, 420 bile samples were randomly collected from slaughtered sheep (134) and goats (286) in the Bauchi abattoir between the months of January to May 2024. The bile samples were analysed in the laboratory for the presence of fasciola and dicrocoelium parasites. The age, sex and species of the animals were determined using standard procedures. Out of the 420 sheep and goats sampled 90 (21.4%) were positive for fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis. The infection was highest with Dicrocoelium dendriticum (84.5%) and was least with Fasciola spp (2.2%). There was significant association between infection and species of animals examined (P = 0.047) with higher infection rate seen in sheep than goats. However, age and sex of the sheep and goats sampled did not significantly influence disposition to infection with the parasites (P = 0.682 and 0.551 respectively). Based on overall prevalence (21.4%) obtained in this study it can be concluded that, fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis are moderately endemic with dicrocoeliosis beng more prevalent than fasciolosis in the study area among slaughtered sheep and goats examined. The infection is more common in sheep than goats in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended that routine and strategic deworming should be intensified particularly for sheep and goats in the Bauchi area.

STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL OF AUTOCORRELATED DATA EXHIBITING GEOMETRIC BROWNIAN MOTION: ARITHMETIC RETURN MODEL APPROACH

C. P. Buba, I. J. Dike, S. S. Abdulkadir, E. Torsen — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF STEVIA REBAUDIANA LEAF EXTRACT IN DIABETIC RATS

George O. Eidangbe — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Stevia rebaudiana aqueous leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Thirty rats, comprising six normoglycemic controls (NC) and twenty-four diabetic rats were used. The diabetic rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 each): DC, diabetic rats administered distilled water; DGL, diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide; DSR100 and DSR200, diabetic rats treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg S. rebaudiana extract, respectively. Treatments were administered daily via gavage for 15 days. After 15 days, animals were fasted overnight, euthanized by cervical dislocation, and blood samples collected for serum analyses. Body weight, liver weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level were monitored. Antioxidant enzyme activitiessuperoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)were also measured, alongside serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). The findings revealed that S. rebaudiana extract significantly reduced serum MDA levels and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in diabetic rats. Significant (p<0.05) improvements in FBG, liver-to-body weight ratio, and cytokine profiles were observed in the DSR100 and DSR200 groups compared with the DC. Specifically, the extract significantly decreased IL-1 and TNF- while elevating IL-10 level. These effects were dose-dependent, with 200 mg/kg dose showing the most pronounced benefits. In conclusion, aqueous leaf extract of S. rebaudiana demonstrates robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, effectively attenuating oxidative stress-induced inflammatory responses in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SULFADOXINE-PYRIMETHAMINE RESISTANCE IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among pregnant women. Resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), a key drug for treatment and prevention, is rising. This study investigated the prevalence of SP resistance among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria, across pregnancy trimesters and healthcare facility types, and identified influencing factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 764 pregnant women attending Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Private Health Facilities. Facilities were categorized as Primary (basic care), Secondary, Tertiary (advanced care), and Private (privately owned, with varying levels of specialisation). Resistance prevalence was defined as the percentage of pregnant women in each trimester exhibiting resistance to SP. Prevalence rates were 37.6% (first trimester), 28.9% (second trimester), 31.9% (third trimester), and 38.7% (at delivery). The highest prevalence occurred in Private Health Facilities during the first trimester (45.5%) and Secondary Health Facilities at delivery (66.7%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that occupation, blood group, and IPTp use were the significant predictors of SP resistance. For instance, occupation was associated negatively with resistance in the first trimester: coefficient = -0.144, p = 0.027, whereas hypertension and proximity to stagnant water were significant at delivery, coefficients -0.342, p = 0.009 and -0.296, p = 0.035, respectively. These findings call for targeted malaria control strategies, considering trimester-specific risk factors and healthcare facility type. For example, improved access to IPTp and early detection of hypertension in the second and third trimesters may reduce resistance.

LEVERAGING MACHINE LEARNING MODELS FOR PREDICTING THE LIKELIHOOD OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE

Festus O. Oliha, K. M. Martins, Joseph O. Okhuoya — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Conventional diagnostic approaches for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS – a condition characterized by heterogeneity and the absence of a singular diagnostic test) are often invasive, time-consuming, and rely on varying criteria, resulting in inconsistencies in diagnosis. This study addresses the pressing challenge of improving the diagnosis of PCOS by exploring machine learning applications to bridge gaps in its prediction and diagnosis, offering a potential pathway toward greater accuracy and efficiency. The Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining methodology was adopted for implementation using a comprehensive dataset from a public library – Kaggle. Results identified XGBoost algorithm as the most effective predictive model for diagnosing and predicting PCOS, achieving an accuracy of 98.7%. The results of the study indicated that the XGBoost algorithm is reliable with strong accuracy and dependability in diagnosing PCOS, establishing the PCOS Predictor as a valuable tool in clinical environments. This study thus represents a significant step forward in transforming the diagnostic landscape of PCOS, combining technological advancements with clinical insights to enhance women's healthcare.

COMPARISON OF ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN SICKLE CELL PATIENTS AND NON-SICKLE CELL YOUNG ADULTS IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

Rukayya A. Abdulrauf, A. Farouk, J. Adamu, J. N. Nmadu, S. Awwalu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The current study was aimed at evaluating the arterial blood pressure indices in young adults with (Sickle cell anemia) SCA in comparison to those with normal HbAA age- and sex-matched healthy controls. A sample size of 60 individuals aged 18-30 years were recruited for participation. They were divided into two groups; 30 being sickle cell patients (HbSS) as confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis and 30 being the control (HbAA) group. Consent was obtained from both groups and data was collected in a face-to-face administered questionnaire. The blood pressure in both groups were determined using a mercury sphygmomanometer and the results obtained showed that SCA patients had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower diastolic pressure and no difference (p > 0.05) was observed in systolic blood pressure. The mean arterial pressure was also found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in SCA patients than the normal. The sickle cell group exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher heart rate and pulse pressure than the control group. In conclusion, sickle cell patients have a lower diastolic blood pressure and higher heart rate than non-sickle cell group. Therefore, as SCD patients transition into adulthood, they may not be at risk of hypertension and development of its various complications, but they may be prone to consequences of hypotension and bradycardia such as reduced cardiac output, reduced coronary hypoperfusion and cardiac arrhythmias.

MODELLING NIGERIAN STOCK RETURNS WITH ARMA-EGARCH: A VOLATILITY ANALYSIS

Monica Jatau, M. O. Adenomon, E. S. Chaku, Bilkisu Maijama’a — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the volatility of Nigerian stock returns from January 2, 2010, to December 31, 2022, using ARMA-EGARCH models with Generalized Error Distribution (GED). Four model specifications are assessed: ARMA-EGARCH (1,1), ARMA-EGARCH (1,2), ARMA-EGARCH (2,1), and ARMA-EGARCH (2,2). The focus is on model selection, parameter estimation, and diagnostic testing to determine the best model for capturing volatility dynamics. The ARMA-EGARCH (2,2) GED model emerges as the best based on AIC, BIC, and high log-likelihood values, offering a good balance of fit and complexity. The ARMA-EGARCH (1,1) GED model is noted for effectively balancing simplicity and fit while capturing volatility and asymmetric effects. However, all models show limitations in fully capturing volatility dynamics and maintaining parameter stability, particularly concerning volatility clustering. The ARMA-EGARCH (2,2) model consistently performs best across various statistical criteria, including AIC and BIC. Although it provides a robust fit, it has some limitations in serial correlation and model stability. This indicates the need for further model refinement and exploration to enhance forecasting accuracy and address intrinsic limitations. These findings are valuable for investors and policymakers in understanding stock market volatility modelling both in Nigeria and globally.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF NOMADIC FULANI MIGRATION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN LERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Imran B. Sidi, Aliyu Yusuf — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nomadism is a lifestyle of people who do not live permanently in one place, but constantly move cyclically or periodically from one place to another. The study seeks to investigate the effect of their migration on agricultural production in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria. The study is guided by objective of this research is to examine the socio-economic characteristics of fulani migration in the study area, also to examine the causes and effect of Fulani migration in the study area and the challenges faced by Fulani migration in the study area. The study adopted survey research design. Fifty (50) nomads were randomly selected from five communities in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. The data gathered were subjected to analysis using frequencies and simple percentages. The result revealed that majority of the respondents strongly agreed that the rural banditry and cattle rustling can cause the migration of nomadic Fulani with 43(86%) while only 7(14%) of respondents strongly disagreed with statement among others. It was recommended that the relevant agencies of government and the civil society should work towards reviewing existing and developing new mechanisms for the monitoring and control of Nomadic Fulani migration across the Lere area due to low agricultural production.

PERFORMANCE OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) VARIETIES AS INFLUENCED BY PHOSPHORUS AND MULCHING IN THE NIGERIA SAVANNA

Ladan Shamsuddeen, Aminu Abdullahi Bashir — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) performance under different rates of phosphorus and mulching in the Nigeria savannas addresses challenges of low soil fertility and harsh climatic conditions. Groundnut, an important crop in Nigeria, is limited by phosphorus deficiency and soil moisture stress in the savannas. Phosphorus is vital for root development, flowering, and seed production but is often deficient in the region’s alkaline soils. Mulching helps conserve moisture, reduce erosion, and improve fertility by adding organic matter. Identifying optimal combinations of phosphorus and mulching can enhance groundnut yield and sustainability. Field trials were conducted at the Irrigation Research Farms of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru and Kadawa in dry season of 2024 to evaluate two varieties of groundnut (SAMNUT-24 and SAMNUT-25), three phosphorus rates 0, 30 and 60 kgP₂0₅ha^-1), and three mulch materials (no mulch, polythene sheet and rice straw). Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed SAMNUT-24 excelled in branches, canopy spread and shoots dry weight, while SAMNUT-25 produced higher pod yield and harvest index. Applying 60 kgP₂0₅ ha^-1 improved leaves, pod yield and harvest index, while polythene sheets enhanced leaf number and canopy spread. Both varieties performed well under irrigation. SAMNUT-24 and SAMNUT-25 with 60 kgP₂O₅ha^-1 and rice straw mulch is recommended for farmers. Further research is needed to explore phosphorus rates with new/improved varieties.

NONLINEAR REGRESSION MODELLING OF RELATIONSHIP AMONG GROWTH PARAMETERS OF TILAPIA (Oreochromisniloticus)

Nuratu Muhammad, Yisa Yakubu, Balikis Oluwakemi Yekeen — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) is a globally significant and economically vital fish species, requiring effective management to sustain its benefits for local communities. This study utilized secondary data from a mixed factorial experiment to examine the effects of water temperature, location, and week on Nile tilapia growth. The growth parameters considered include total length, standard length, and weight. Water temperature levels considered include room temperature (20°C) as control, 28°C, 30°C, and 32°C for 12-week period and three(3) locations. Nonlinear regression techniques were used to model the relationships between total length and weight, and standard length and weight, under each temperature level. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was then used to examine the effects of location, week, and temperature on fish weight. The constructed nonlinear models were then compared using the error sum of squares (SSE) criterion in F-test. The findings showed that model three is the best fit with SSE of 3137.143 and 3099.227, respectively, for total length x weightandstandard length x weightinteraction effects. ANOVA revealed significant effects of location, week, and temperature, along with their interactions (except location x weekfor total and standard lengths), on fish weight with p-values below 0.0001 (p < 0.0001). Estimated marginal means indicated a consistent increase in fish weight across all temperatures. The fitted regression model between total and standard lengths explained 96% of the total variability, indicatingan excellent fit. These findings provide valuable insights for fisheries managers and scientists to enhance tilapia stock managementand exploration.

BIOREMEDIATION OF WATER POLLUTANTS FROM WASTEWATER

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Environmental pollution caused by xenobiotics and other persistent compounds has been recognized as a significant threat to both human health and the natural environment. These pollutants, which include heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, plastics, and various agrochemicals, are toxic and resistant to biodegradation. Bioremediation is an emerging and effective method for cleaning contaminated environments by removing toxic waste. This technique utilizes a range of microorganisms, both aerobic and anaerobic, to treat polluted sites. Microorganisms are crucial in bioremediation as they degrade, detoxify, and immobilize hazardous wastes and pollutants, transforming them into less toxic forms. Depending on factors like cost, pollutant type, and concentration, bioremediation can be conducted ex-situ or in situ. Consequently, the appropriate bioremediation method is selected based on these factors. This review addresses the major issue of contaminants in water, including its sources, effects on the ecosystem, remediation strategies using different biological processes that change the pollutants into less hazardous, source and types of pollutants, the principle of bioremediation, bioremediation strategies, and technologies, microorganisms in bioremediation, case study and application, monitoring, and assessment of bioremediation process, environmental impacts and sustainability, future perspectives, and challenges.

BIOSURFACTANT PROPERTIES AND ITS APPLICATION IN CHROMIUM REMOVAL: A REVIEW

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chromium contamination primarily originates from anthropogenic activities such as industrial discharges, mining operations, and the improper disposal of chromium-containing products, leading to its infiltration into soil and groundwater. The persistence of chromium in the environment poses severe ecological and health risks, including bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and adverse effects on plant growth and soil microbes. Human exposure to chromium through contaminated water or occupational settings is linked to respiratory problems, skin disorders, and heightened cancer risk. Addressing these challenges necessitates sustainable remediation approaches, highlighting the potential of biosurfactants as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional methods. This review was aimed to provide an overview on different properties of biosurfactants and its application in chromium removal, covering key aspects from introduction to future perspectives. Biosurfactants as microbial-derived surface-active agents, exhibit properties that make them highly effective in reducing chromium contamination. Their biodegradability, low toxicity, and renewable production ensure minimal environmental impact. Moreover, their amphiphilic nature enhances chromium bioavailability, facilitating microbial uptake and reduction. Certain biosurfactants chelate metal ions, preventing chromium migration and secondary contamination, while their synergistic interactions with microorganisms improve remediation efficiency. By supporting the transformation of toxic Cr (VI) into less harmful Cr (III) and promoting precipitation of insoluble compounds, biosurfactants offer a sustainable and versatile solution for mitigating chromium pollution.

DETERMINANTS OF CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA LGA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Oyeindoubra Bethel, Thankgod Anyanwu, Ayebaitari Tari Robinson — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ON FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD ASSETS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Ahmad Muhammad, A. K. Ango, A. A. Barau — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed the impact of Social media on farmers livelihood assets in North-western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 369 respondents that constitute the sample size of the study. Data used for the study were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire which was analysed using Principal component analysis, a descriptive and inferential statistics tool. Results of the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 40 years, majority of whom were male (80%) and married (84%) with an average household size of 6 people. Most of the farmers (71%) had low level of education and the mean annual income and the average farm size were N928188.00 and 2.01 hectares respectively. Results further indicated that 22% of the farmers Off-farm livelihood activities was being middlemen while, cereal farming (37%) and goat and sheep farming (68%) were more prominent On-farm livelihood activities engaged by the farmers. WhatsApp (90%) and Facebook (92%) were the leading Social media platforms used by the farmers. Majority of the farmers (84%) used social media platforms daily and majority (89%) used the platforms on hourly basis, also, 42% of them were lower social media users. Thus social media has a significant impact on the farmers livelihood. Hence farmers should be encouraged to explore all online avenues to access extension services that could improve their livelihoods.