Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resource Use Efficiency In Arable Crop Production In Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined the resource use efficiency in arable crop production in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers in the study area; determine system of land ownership; distribution of farmers according to quantity of fertilizer used; distribution of farmers according to cassava output and constraints to resource allocation to farmers. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 84 arable crop farmers registered with the Agricultural Development Programme in the study area. Data were collected with structured questionnaire and personal interview. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count and percentages. While inferential statistics wasMaximum Likelihood Estimate of Stochastic Frontier Production Function, using Coelli 4.1 to estimate technical efficiency. The result showed that majority (64.29%) of the arable crop production were women. The farmers were in their active age, literate and small-scale farmers. Majority (69.05%) preferred local varieties of arable crops to improved varieties. Also, majority (72.62%) of the farmers were not visited by extension agents. Most of the land cultivated by the farmers were inherited and various quantities of fertilizer were applied to boost the soil fertility. Outputs of the crops were poor due to lack, inadequate, high cost of inputs among others. The MLE of Stochastic Frontier Production Function using Coelli 4.1 showed that the coefficient of age and sex were negative. The high MVP of farm size showed that there was high return to land which had important effect upon farm output. However, the MFC showed that small-scale cassava farmers could use additional financial capital effectively to produce more output. It was therefore recommended that policies and programmes that would enable farmers to have more access to land should be put in place. Extension services need to be improved in the study area so as to educate the farmers on how to optimally allocate the use of their resources as to have meaningful harvest.
A review on- A medicinally important climber plant Clitoria ternatea L. and its variants

Copyright: © Author, This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial No Derives License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is noncommercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. India is one of the largest producers of herbal products and reachest country in the world in regard to genetic resources of medicinal plants. Nature around us has provided everything of necessity of mankind. Plants are natural laboratories where a great number of chemicals are biosynthesized and the may be considered the most important source of chemical compounds. Herbal medicines are prepared from variety of plant parts like leaves, stems, roots, barks, seeds and so on. They usually contain many bioactive compounds and are used primarily for treating mild or chronic ailments. Due to the increasing demand in the field of herbal medicines, it has become necessary and pertinent to know in detail about the systematic knowledge of herbal drugs.
DEGRADATION OF DISPERSE BLUE 79 DYE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The release of variety dyes within wastewater into the environment is increasing and regarded one of the most issues in wastewater treating due to the toxicity and coloration of natural waters. Fenton method is an alternative and advanced oxidation processes used as a novel wastewater treatment process . In this study the degradation of Disperse Blue 79 (DB 79) dye at 60 mg/L in aqueous solution is investigated. The main focus of this work is to investigate the effect of different operational parameters such as amount of Fenton's reagent (H2O2, Fe 2+ ) doses, mole ratio of (H2O2/ Fe 2+ ), mixing speed, and the reaction time on the color, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency upon such process. Experimental results showed that, 85% color removal and 75% COD removal was achieved under optimum process conditions (33.53 mole ratio (150 mg/L H2O2, 20 mg/L Fe 2+ ), 50 rpm mixing speed, and 60 minute reaction time). Higher or complete degradation of DB 79 was observed within 60 minutes as a reaction time. Finally, Fenton process was very efficient and suitable for removing color, and COD from DB79 dye in aqueous solution.
CSR Practices and Customer’s Loyalty in Restaurant Industry: Moderating Role of Gender

In today’s highly competitive environment, when people are also having awareness of ethnicity of corporate sector, it is really difficult as well as compulsory for companies to maintain their sustainability. The objective of this study is to empirically analyze the relationship between customers’ loyalty and corporate social responsibility practices of companies that belong to restaurant industry of Pakistan with moderating role of gender. For the purpose of conducting this study the data has been collected from people who went to hotels and restaurant frequently. A sample of 384 respondents was chosen for analysis. Results revealed that gender of customers does have significance impact on being loyal to any particular restaurant brand; yet this effect is small as the value of explained variable increased by one percent only but yet it is significant as per the regression analysis. This study is significant for the managers of food chains and can contribute towards getting loyalty of their customers via more focus on becoming good corporate citizen.
Current Status of Existing and Emerging Chemotherapy and Drug Resistance Mechanisms in Leishmania

Leishmaniasis is a well known fatal disease that is caused by the protozoan species belonging to the genus Leishmania. The causative organism is transmitted through female sandflies. It is considered as a neglected tropical disease and targeted for the worldwide elimination by the World Health Organization. It is the major cause of significant morbidity and mortality in several countries of the world. Leishmania parasites cause a wide spectrum of human and animal infections ranging from the life threatening visceral disease to the disfiguring mucosal and cutaneous forms of the disease. Currently, the control of the disease totally relies on chemotherapy, as the vaccine is still under the process of development. Organic pentavalentantimonials [Sb (V)] have been the first-line drugs for the treatment of Leishmaniasis for the last seven decades. Alternatively, Amphotericin B, pentamidine and miltefosine can be used for the treatment of leishmaniasis. However, these drugs have serious limitations, such as high cost, toxicity and resistance has emerged as a major problem.Therefore, the development of new, effective antileishmanial drugs is an urgent need. The new drugs are required in an affordable price in order to control leishmaniasis worldwide. The aim of this article is to review the status of existing and emerging chemotherapy for the prevention and treatment of leishmaniasis and also focuses on the various mechanisms which may lead to antimony resistance in leishmaniasis.
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

This paper sought to establish effect financial management practices on project performance in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Theory of Planned behavior. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 87 top management employees from 31 projects in Uasin Gishu County. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Test-retest technique was employed to test reliability of the data collection instruments at Alpha>0.7. The study adopted ex post facto research design. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at p<= 0.05. Findings revealed a positive influence of budgeting and financial reporting on project performance. This study recommends that project managers enhance the training on calculation of interest rate and need to have budget expertise. Similarly, there is need for employees to have the necessary reporting and analyzing skills.
Probiotic Characterization of Indigenous Lactic Strains using Foldscope and Development of Functional Yogurt

The study is on isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from fermented food samples of Garo Hills through Foldscope and thereafter study of the probiotic potentiality of the strains and finally production of value-added functional yogurt. The microbiological analysis was done using foldscope leading to isolation of 51 strains from a total of 15 fermented food samples. Biochemical characterization of the isolates for the confirmation of genus and species through sugar fermentation pattern using API kit led to the isolation of four strains-Lactobacillus brevis FJWJi, Lactobacillus pentosus RBCi, Lactobacillus fermentum FRWGv and Lactobacillus delbrueckii RBWGii, selected on the basis of their coagulating efficiency in milk medium. Probiotic attributes of the selected isolates were determined. The isolates could survive high pH conditions of pH2 and pH3 with viability of log 4.47 CFU/ml by Lactobacillus pentosus RBCi and tolerate 0.5–2% of bile salt with viability of log 6.51 CFU/ml by Lactobacillus brevis FJWJi. The isolates could hydrolyse bile salt but zone of precipitation was absent possibly due to the source of isolation. The isolates were susceptible to most of the antibiotics except for Nalidixic acid and Vancomycin. The cellular auto aggregation percentage for the isolates ranged from 63% to 27% and Lactobacillus brevis FJWJi showed the highest cell surface hydrophobicity of 26%. Therefore, the isolates possess the potentiality of probiotics. The four isolates were used to develop functional cow milk yogurt and storage study was done thereafter. Samples of Treatment 3 had the highest acceptance, especially on Day 3 based on the sensory analysis.
Effect of four commercial mouth rinses on the microhardness and solubility of a supra nanocomposite and a microhybrid composite: An in vitro study

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the effect of four commercially available mouth rinses on the microhardness and solubility of a newly introduced resin-composite namely Estelite® α with Filtek TM P60. The microhybrid and the supra-nano composites used in this study are Filtek TM P60 and Estelite® α respectively. A total of 108 (N) specimens (54 for each resin composite) were fabricated and were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the mouth rinse used as followssubgroup 1Listerine; subgroup 2Colgate Plax; subgroup 3-HiOra; sub-group 4Clohex Plus. Subgroup 5 consisted of the remaining 12 specimens which served as controls (distilled water). Change in the microhardness and solubility of both the resin composites were determined after exposure to all the five test solutions. For microhardness, intra-group comparison showed significant reduction in the microhardness in all the subgroups in both the tested resin-composites (p < 0.001). Inter-group comparison showed that the difference in microhardness between the groups was statistically significant only for Colgate Plax (p < 0.001) and HiOra (p < 0.05). For solubility, maximum solubility was presented by Listerine and minimum by HiOra in both the resin-composites. Inter-group comparison showed that the difference in the solubility of the two resin-composites was statistically significant only for HiOra (p < 0.05). Specimens tested in distilled water did not show any significant change for both the tested parameters (p > 0.05). Following conclusions can be drawn from the present study(1) All the mouth rinses used in the study, irrespective of the presence or absence of alcohol reduced the microhardness of both the tested resincomposites. (2) Alcohol content is not the only factor in mouth rinses that can degrade materials. (3) Alcohol-free mouth rinses may be preferable to alcohol containing mouth rinses in patients with extensive restorations.
Use of Social Media for Knowledge Sharing Among Students

The world of research requires researchers, students to share knowledge. With the invention of social media, knowledge sharing process has been more effective and easier. This study examined the usage of social media for knowledge sharing among students of the Polytechnic Ibadan, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted, while stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the students. Four hundred and thirty four copies of questionnaire were administered, while 301 were retrieved and 271 copies found useful for data analysis. Data was analysed using frequencies and percentage distribution, Spearman’s rank correlation, Kruskal Wallis test, and Chi-Square. Findings reveal that Facebook and Whatsapp are the widely used social media tools for knowledge sharing by the students. The study found significant relationship between social influence and attitude towards using social media for knowledge sharing, as well as significant relationship between attitude and use of social media for knowledge sharing.The study recommends that institutions should exploit the proliferation of social media and its use to set up off-class student-student and student-lecturer discussion groups, which could help encourage and promote knowledge sharing, and thereby help students in achieving good academic outcomes.
Malignant hepatic focal lesions: Improved detection and characterization by diffusion weighted MRI in comparison to T2W with the use of parallel imaging SENSE and different b values

Objective: to evaluate the utility of diffusion weighted MRI using different b values in the detection and characterization of hepatic focal lesions in comparison to conventional T2W MRI. Patients and Methods: 45 patients with 83 malignant hepatic focal lesions (32 hepatocellular carcinomas, 4 cholangiocarcinomas and 47 metastases were included in this retrospective study). The MRI protocol for the upper abdomen included T2W, in and opposed phased T1 weighted images and post contrast T1W images. Respiratory triggered fat suppressed single shot echo planar DWMR images were performed for all patients. Two independent observers reviewed the T2W and DW images to detect and characterize the lesions. Results: The use of DWMR showed a significantly higher detection rate in the detection and characterization of malignant hepatic focal lesions than the use of T2W images (p<0.05) using B values of 500 and 1000. The detection rate was significantly higher for small lesions as well as in cirrhotic liver. DWMRI also showed improved detection of recurrent lesions following chemoembolization in patients. Conclusion: DW MRI can be used as a standard non contrast enhanced study in early detection and characterization of hepatic focal lesions. [Reem H Basiouny, Nivine Chalabi, Nanees A. Adel, Hany Haroun, Eslam Safwat. Malignant hepatic focal lesions: Improved detection and characterization by diffusion weighted MRI in comparison to T2W with the use of parallel imaging SENSE and different b values. J Am Sci 2012;8(9):160-166]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience. org. 24
The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Medicago sativa on liver function tests, blood biochemical factors and coagulation system in male rats.

Background and Aim: Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) has been used traditionally as liver protectant, antioxidant agent and also for the treatment of bleeding and digestive problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcholic extract of Medicago sativa on liver function tests, blood biochemical factors and coagulation system parameters in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n= 8) including control, and three experimental groups which received gavage (250, 500, 750 mg/kg/day). These groups were treated for 14 days and on the 15th day plasma levels of total protein, fibrinogen, Na, glucose, alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. We also measured platlet count, prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The results were analyzed by one way ANOVA. Results: The results of the present study showed that use of the extract decreased significantly the serum levels of ALP, ALT, and also blood glucose concentration in the experimental groups, compared to the control group. Furthermore, alfalfa increased total protein and fibrinogen in a dose dependent manner in the experimental groups (p <0.01, p <0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed hepatoprotective effect of alfalfa extract. The effect of alfalfa on coagulation system was exerted via increasing the blood level of fibrinogen and it had no effect on other indices.
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PRESCRIBING PRACTICES IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: Clinicians often face challenges in selecting, initiating and individualizing appropriate drug therapy for patients admitted in the emergency medicine ward. Objective: To assess the prescribing patterns of drugs and to determine the rationality of prescriptions by using World Health Organization prescribing indicators. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out in emergency department for six months. About 520 case sheets were reviewed. Data were collected using structural data entry form and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. Results: The data was collected prospectively and analyzed using WHO prescribing indicators. The average number of drugs prescribed was 6.40 per prescription. The drugs prescribed by generic name accounts for 20.9% and those prescribed from EDL include 83.88%. At least one antibiotic was prescribed for patients which is high (57.31%). Most of drugs were administered through injection for about 49.24%. Patients were mainly admitted for nausea and vomiting (16.92%). Anti-emetics were the mostly prescribed therapeutic class of drugs for patients (24.75%). Hemoglobin (98.65%) was the most common investigation performed in the study population. The commonly used fixed drug combination was piperacillin and tazobactum (3.75%). Conclusion: Analysis of case records for drug utilization pattern revealed that most of the drug classes were prescribed for appropriate indication. Prescription of multivitamins appears largely irrational. The results indicate a considerable scope for improving the prescribing pattern of drugs in the emergency department.
EFFECT OF BETAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION ON SKELETAL MUSCLES OF PREGNANT RATS AND THE AMELIORATIVE ROLE OF CURCUMIN

Using the skeletal muscle as a target organ, the present study involved two integrated aspects. The first aspect has dealt with investigating the possible toxic side effects of maternal exposure to one of the glucocorticoids, namely, betamethasone for ten days i.e. from the 6 th to the 15 th day of gestation in female Wister rats. However, the second aspect examined the possible ameliorative role of curcumin against the toxicity induced by betamethasone administration. Three integrated approaches i.e. histological, histo-morphometric, and molecular were utilized. The drug group exhibited evident histological changes compared with the control group in the form of wide splitting of the skeletal muscle fibers in association with fibrillolysis and nuclear internalization. Furthermore, muscle fibers showed irregular variation in size with rounding of some of them. At the molecular level, SDS-PAGE for protein in the muscles exhibited a marked lose in most protein bands as compared with the control group. Administration of curcumin after betamethasone caused an evident amelioration at the three utilized approaches.
A New Approach to Protection and Conservation of Cites-Listed Species: DNA Barcoding of Parrots in Nigeria

Anthropogenic activities, coupled with climate change effects have led to biodiversity crisis and genetic erosion. The number of wildlife species being threatened and or endangered is on the increase. The Convention on International Trade on Endangered Fauna and Flora (CITES) has categorized these species under Appendices I, II, III, reflecting their level of endangerment as well as the protection level accorded each taxonomic group. DNA barcoding has over time, been identified as a tool for authenticating the taxonomic information of species at all stages of life, telling apart cryptic species, fighting fraud, poaching and prosecution of violators of CITES and for general conservation purposes. The national survey carried out to up-date the CITES list of Nigeria’s endangered species revealed that some of the bird species such as the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) and the grey parrot could hardly be found in the wild anymore. The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016, accorded the maximum level of protection to African Grey parrot, which was recently by upgrading it to CITES Appendix I). This study, therefore, targeted CITES-listed parrot species that are fast disappearing through poaching and illegal trading belonging to the order-Psittaciformes and of genera-Psittacula, Poicephalus and Psittacus held in captivity in the orphanage of the National Parks Service Abuja, Nigeria. The aim of this initial project was to populate the GenBank with sequence libraries from bird species from this biogeographic region. Live birds were sampled and a set of primers-COI F and COI R tested were found effective in the amplification of the DNA of the samples. The primers were successfully used to amplify and sequence the genomic DNA, which sequences were deposited in the GenBank with their accession numbers obtained and published.
New Developments in Neuroscience. A Review

The brain is a giant information processor that can extract useful features in many forms of sensory signals. The brain is also a controller of complex motor systems and the site of human creativity and consciousness. It has enormous memory capacities, estimated to be in the size of 2.5 petabytes (2,500 terabytes) (Reber, 2010). The human brain has approximately 100 billion (1011) nerve cells; weight 1.3-1.4 kg, and in early pregnancy, the rate of cell growth is approximately250,000 cells/minute. At rest, the brain uses about 20% of the body’s energy.
Robust Speaker Recognition Biometric System a Detailed Review

— his paper reviews Biometric based Speaker Recognition and presents brief about various algorithms and techniques used at various stages of Speaker Recognition and development of Attendance System as application of Speaker Recognition. The research is being carried out in this area for many years. However, the accuracy of system depends upon speaker’s variability and environmental conditions. Various stages of speaker recognition include Pre processing of a signal, Feature extraction, Normalization, Post-processing, Classification or Modelling and Decision making. The main aim of this paper is to discuss and compare different approaches of different stages with main emphasis on robustness in noisy environment.