bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory potentials of five botanicals on associated fungi in relation to germination and morphological characters of Cucumis sativus Linn
Authors: Olaniran O.B. , Olawuyi O.J. , Akinbode O.A. 
Published: July 2020

The in vitro assay of the leaf extracts of selected botanicals was carried out to assess the inhibitory potentials of the extracts on fungal growth, seed germination, seedling growth characters and frequency of seed-borne fungi. selected plants include: Azadirachta. indica, Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygdalina, Tithonia diversifolia and Carica papaya. Fungal isolates characterized from Cucumis sativus were Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Trichoderma viride and Nigrospora sphaerica. Azadirachta indica had the highest percentage inhibitory effect at p ≤ 0.01 on F. oxysporum (82.21%), while Moringa oleifera had the highest inhibition of 68.72% on T. viride, but not significantly different from T. diversifolia. Seeds treated with C. papaya extract produced the highest seedling length, germination and seedling vigour, while control was least. Concentration of 10% produced significant highest seedling (17.72cm), root length (11.59cm), percentage germination (82.67%) and seedling vigour (1469.08). Seedling length is positive and strongly correlated with shoot length, root length and seedlingvigour with r = 0.87, 0.67 and 0.89 respectively. Seedling vigour is positive and strongly associated with seedling length (0.89), shoot length (0.72) and root length (0.67).
Keywords: botanical extracts, Cucumis sativus, fungi, growth response
Nutritive contents of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Guttiferae) forage in sylvopastoralism in southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria
Authors: Onyenso A.I. , Nwobodo K.A. , Yakubu A.M. 
Published: July 2020

Nutrition is one of the major constraints to livestock production in the tropics. This research aimed at assessing the nutritive contents of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from different sylvopastoralism locations in the southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria: Ikwuano L.G.A. in Abia state, Ikom L.G.A. in Cross River state and Eleme L.G.A. in Rivers State. Leaf samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine their nutritive contents. The results of the proximate, minerals and vitamins analysis of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from Ikwuano, Ikom and Eleme as follows; crude protein: 9.51%, 8.46%, 9.86%; fat: 4.64%, 3.69%, 4.19%; Crude fibre: 17.32%, 15.24%, 17.12%; ash: 5.26%, 4.10%, 4.50%; carbohydrate: 0.46%,0.41%, 0.46% and moisture: 10.07%, 9.90%, 9.60%. For the mineral contents, calcium:14.70mg/100g,14.6970mg/100g, 15.37mg/100g; magnesium: 11.20 mg/100g, 11.33 mg/100g, 10.40 mg/100g; phosphorus: 287.88 mg/100g, 280.53 mg/100g, 290.05 mg/100g; potassium: 217.67 mg/100g, 219.12 mg/100g, 220.13 mg/100g and sodium: 21.07 mg/100g, 21.70 mg/100g, 20.67 mg/100g. For the vitamins, vitamins C: 15.25 mg/100g, 11.73 mg/100g, 14.66 mg/100g; thiamine: 0.04 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; riboflavin: 0.06 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; niacin: 0.18 mg/100g, 0.22 mg/100g, 0.16 mg/100g. The Anova results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the proximate, minerals and vitamins contents, and such could reflect the variation in the types of soil and water availability in the areas. Generally, Allanblackia floridunda leaves are good source of forage for livestock.
Keywords: Nutritive contents, Allanblackia floribunda leaves, sylvopastoralism, southeastern agroecological zone
Effects of different feeding regimes on the growth performance of the giant African land snail Archachatina marginata (Swainson)
Authors: Ovat I.O. , Esor P.E. , Iwara O.I. 
Published: July 2020

Effects of various feeding regimes on the growth performance of the giant African land snail, Archachatina marginata were studied using one hundred and twenty (120 Juvenile snails) weighing 0.66g +1 per snails for a period of 90 days. The treatments were. T1 -Grower starter, T2 - Grower mash, T3 - cocoyam and cassava leaves and T4 - Ripe pawpaw fruits. The Completely Randomized Design was used with four treatments and each replicated three times. The snails were confined in wooden hutch boxes. Data was collected on weekly body weight feed intake, shell length and shell width. Results obtained showed that snails fed with broiler starter diet (T1) had significantly (P<0.05) higher performance in terms of weight gain, feed intake, shell length and the aperture, while pawpaw fruits T4 recorded the least values. The highest values for feed intake was observed in T1 (135.5g) followed by T2 (78.2g), while the least feed intake was observed in T4 (55.7g). Snails fed with T1 recorded the highest weight gain (60.1g) followed by T2 and T3.The lowest weight gain was obtained in T4 (37.9g). Shell length was highest in T1 (20.7mm), closely followed by T2 (19.2mm). The aperture recorded the highest mean values in T1 (20.1mm). The least operculum was recorded in T4 (12.9mm). Therefore, the broiler starter T1 should be used to feed growing snails to improve their performance.
Keywords: Snails, Broiler Starter, Grower mesh, Cocoyam leaves, Cassava leaves, Pawpaw fruits, hutch boxes
Impact of training of primary healthcare workers on integrated community case management of childhood illnesses in North-West district of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Abua Uya John , Igbudu Terhemen Joseph , Egwuda Livinus , Yaakugh Gberndyer Jacob 
Published: July 2020

The World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund has introduced Integrated Community Case Management of childhood illness (ICCM) in order to train health workers at community level on how to treat children below 5 years who have pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria. Since Primary Health Care workers in Benue State are actively involved in caring for sick children at community level, there is every need for them to be trained on ICCM. The objective of this study is to find out if training of primary health care workers in North-West district of Benue State can improve their knowledge on ICCM. The study was carried out in Benue North-west where Gboko Local government was randomly selected out of seven local governments. Health Officers’ in-charge of 38 Primary Health Care Clinics were selected for the study and were trained based on our adapted ICCM training manual. The Pre and Post training assessment test for this study was designed based on the training manual. A paired sample t-test was conducted to find out if there were any significant difference in the knowledge of primary health care workers before and after receiving training. There was significant difference in the pre training scores ( x1 = 136.684, S1 = 37.370) and post-training scores (x2 =177.895, 2 S =14.469) at (t=6.783, P=0.000). This result strongly indicates that the teaching intervention has improved the knowledge of the Primary Health Care workers on ICCM in Gboko Local Government.
Keywords: ICCM; Pneumonia; Malaria; Diarrhoea
A survey of gender politics and the use of English among students of the department of English studies, University of Port Harcourt
Authors: Ahaotu Joseph O. , Tobiahs Iworifama. R. 
Published: July 2020

This study investigated feminist consciousness and the differences in the use of English language among undergraduates in the Department of English Studies (EST), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The theoretical basis of the study is Radical Feminism and the researchers used a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to collect data for the study. The researchers collected data from three groups each of which consisted of ten final year students who formed panels to discuss gender issues while the researchers moderated. The data was analysed with framework analysis, simple percentages, and significant ratios. The study revealed that the participants were actively engaged in gender politics, used English in significantly different styles, but tended to be equally divided on their total allegiance to their gender groups. The study concluded that EST students are actively engaged in gender politics and confirmed the existence of some of the differences between male and female speech identified by earlier studies. Therefore, it recommended, among others, that curriculum design on the subject should shift from aggression and divisiveness to integration and mutual respect for not just named gender groups, but also for all humans.
Key Words: gender politics, Feminism, focal group discussion, gender and language, variation
Orara as a symbol of feminine beauty and meekness in select novels of Igbo female writers
Authors: Asiegbu Perp’ st. Remy 
Published: July 2020

The similitude that exists in the depiction of the major characters of pioneer Nigerian female writers (who are, incidentally, Igbo) tasks the mind as it reflects on a possible cause of this semblance. This paper located a double pronged characteristic that is shared by all the major characters in the works under study – one of beauty and gentle spirit. These features have a symbolic significance (Ọrara) in an Igbo sub-culture (Mbaise). Ọrara, a snake, is one of the symbols in Mbari representing feminine beauty and meekness in repressed strength – traits that womanism upholds. Text analysis, oral tradition and interviews provide points that aid the study of the relationship between these concepts – female characters, Ọrara and womanism. It is deduced that the identical characterization in the works of Igbo female writers - Nwapa’s Efuru and Idu; Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood and The Bride Price; and Okoye’s Behind the Clouds and Chimere - has its root in the writers’ re-creation of the real experiences of the ordinary woman in the Igbo society whose natural reactions to her plight gravitates more to the womanist than the feminist angle, producing traits that are similar to those of Ọrara. And while womanism is not new in relation to the study of the works of Igbo female writers, it has not been studied against a significant symbol in the Igbo tradition. Ọrara is, thus, seen as the ideological locus for womanism and may be put under further scrutiny to establish it as the muse of Igbo female writers.
Key Words: Womanism, Characters, Beauty, Meekness, Symbol, Ọrara, Igbo.
a Study of non-verbal communication in the Nigerian (Yorùbá) novels: The side code
Authors: Adesanya Ahmed O. 
Published: July 2020

Non-verbal communication is a very important aspect of communication which plays a very crucial role in interpersonal relationship. Its role in the accentuation of verbal communication cannot be overemphasized. Existing literature has not given enough attention to side code as a form of non-verbal communication in the Yorùbá novel. This study fills the gap as it examines side codes, the contexts in which they occur in Yoruba novels with a view to establishing its communicative value. The study adopts semiotic theories of Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce. Four Yorùbá novels: Ìrìnkèrindò Nínú Igbó Elégbèje and Ògbójú Ọdẹ Nínú Igbó Irúnmo̩lẹ̀. By D.O. Fagunwa, Ojú rí́́́ by Kola Oni and Ṣaworoidẹ by Akinwumi Isola were purposively selected because they have elements of side code and were subjected to semiotic and textual analyses. Side code helps in cultural determinism in the codification of disaster, chaos, lopsidedness, disappointment, success, identification of prince and complementarity.
Key Words: Side code; Semiotics; Purposive sample; Yorùbá novels
Salinity Influence on Copper Sulphate and Lead Nitrate Combined Toxicity Against <i>Oreochromis niloticus</i>
Authors: Osuala F.I. , Bawa-Allah K.A. , Uba N. 
Published: July 2020

Brackish water ecosystems characterized by fluctuating physicochemical parameters are more susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals acting singly or jointly. This study investigated the effect of salinity variations on the joint action toxicity of copper sulphate (CuSO4) and lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2 against fingerlings of Oreochromis niloticus. Fingerlings were exposed to binary mixtures of CuSO4 and Pb(NO3)2 (ratios 1:1 and 1:4) at varying salinities (0‰, 2‰, 12‰ and 18‰) in laboratory bioassays. The binary mixtures of the heavy metals were least toxic to the fish at 12‰ with 96 h LC50 values of 115.558 mg l-1 and 198.274 mg l-1 compared to 8.465 mg l-1 and 16.884 mg l-1 for 0‰, 46.084 mg l-1 and 69.843 mg l-1 for 2‰ and 13.196mg l-1 and 100.567 mg l-1 for 18‰ at ratios 1:1 and 1:4 respectively. Analysis using the Synergistic Ratio Model (SR) showed that both heavy metals were less toxic to the fish species when acting jointly irrespective of ratio than when acting singly at 12‰. Therefore, the need to consider the fluctuating salinity and joint interaction of heavy metals in setting ecologically safe limits for the discharge of effluents containing heavy metals into the aquatic ecosystems is important.
Key words: Salinity, Heavy Metals, Toxicity, Oreochromis niloticus
Comparative Analysis of Some Efficient Data Security Methods among Cryptographic Techniques for Cloud Data Security
Authors: Abubakar M.A.T. , Aloysius A. , Umar Z. , Dauda M. 
Published: July 2020

The concept of cloud computing model is to grant users access to outsource data from the cloud server without them having to worry about aspects of the hardware and software management. The owner of the data encrypts it before outsourcing to a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) server for effective deployment of sensitive data. Data confidentiality is a demanding task of cloud data protection. Thus, to solve this problem, lots of techniques are needed to defend the shared data. We focus on cryptography to secure the data while transmitting in the network. We deployed Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) used as encryption method for cloud data security, to encrypt the sensitive data which is to be transmitted from sender to receiver in the network and to decrypt so that the receiver can view the original data. Arrays of encryption systems are being deployed in the world of Information Systems by various organizations. In this paper, comparative analysis of some various encryption algorithms in cryptography have been implemented by comparing their performance in terms of stimulated time during Encryption and decryption in the network.
Keywords: AES, Data Control, Data Privacy, Data Storage, Encryption Algorithms, Verification.
Prophylactic Effect of Cyperus Esculentus Milk on High Dose Acetaminophen Model of Hepatic Toxicity in Wistar Rats
Authors: Akinloye D.I. , Adejumo A.P. , Akinloye O.A. 
Published: July 2020

Cyperus esculentus is a wholesome nut with notable nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study investigated the prophylactic impact of Cyperus esculentus milk extract (CE) on high dose acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver impairment in experimental rats. Thirty rats weighing between 180-200 g were randomly distributed into 6 groups (n=5). Groups 1 (control given only distilled water) and 2 (negative control given APAP) were without treatment, while rats in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were orally administered 8.57 mg ascorbic acid, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of body weight CE respectively for 21 days. On the 22nd day of the experiment, 1 g/kg body weight of acetaminophen was administered orally to rats in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The serum and liver of sacrificed animals were collected for analyses. CE at selected doses appreciably prevented high dose acetaminophen-induced increase in serum activities (p<0.05) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and concentration of malondialdehyde as seen in the untreated APAP control group. Decreased serum GST activity caused by acetaminophen in untreated group improved significantly (p<0.05) in CE treated groups which was comparable (p > 0.05) to ascorbic acid group. In the liver, acetaminophen decreased the activities of AST, ALT, ALP, however, increased concentration and activity of malondialdehyde and GST respectively (p < 0.05). Pre-administration of CE markedly prevented these effects in the liver of rats that were administered acetaminophen. The present study demonstrated C. esculentus milk extracts prevented hepatic damage caused by high dose acetaminophen in rats.
Keywords: Acetaminophen, Cyperus esculentus, biomarkers, hepatoprotective.
Detection Of Pendimethalin and Cypermetrin Residues in Locally Produced Tomato Using QuEChERS-HPLC Analysis
Authors: Abdulra’uf L.B. , Adeyemo F.A. , Atanda F.B. , Lawal R. 
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the levels of pendimethalin and cypermetrin residues in tomato sold in Malete market, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. Tomatoes were randomly collected from five different vendors in Malete market and analysis was performed using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method followed by chromatographic analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ultra-violet (UV) detector. Method validation of the study showed a linearity of the analytes which ranges from 5 – 500 μg/kg, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The average recovery ranges from 75.6 to 111 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) from 2.74 to 9.03 %. The results indicated the presence of cypermethrin in analyzed samples at concentrations lower than the permissible maximum residue levels
Keywords: Sample preparation, Pesticide residues, HPLC-UV, QuEChERS.
Sickle Cell Disease among Blacks; the Possible Pivotal Role of Precision Medicine: A Focused Review on Management of Pain
Authors: Ndakotsu M.A. , Balarabe S.A. 
Published: July 2020

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) occurs commonly in sub- Saharan African region. For instance, out of the estimated 305,800 babies born annually with SCD worldwide about 75% occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Vasoocclusive painful crisis is the prototype clinical event among SCD patients with nearly all SCD persons experiencing the episode during their lifetime. Additionally, acute vasooculusive pain crises may eventually progressed to chronic pain, resulting in poor quality of life associated with other morbidities, including anxiety, depression and dependence on pain medications. Transformation and technological development that brought about new clinical approaches and treatments have increased rates of survival in patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). However, the overall life expectancy of such patients remains shorter than other normal populations. Therefore, management of pain should be guided by an individualized précised prescribing and monitoring protocol. To this end, the concept of precision medicine that is predicated on using practical application of human genomics provide an evolving set of translational research goals in the management of pain in sickle cell disease. This review tend to shed light on this new concept, hoping that the review will facilitate improved and more accessible care for all patients leaving with sickle cell disease.
Keywords: Sickle cell disease, Precision medicine, Pain management, Sickle cell crisis, Hydroxyurea.
Effect of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Leaves Extract on Corrosion of Mild Steel using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Okewale A.O. , Adesina O.A. , Akpeji B.H. 
Published: July 2020

Effect of Terminalia catappa leaves (TCL) extract in inhibiting corrosion of mild steel was investigated. In order to obtain the maximum inhibition efficiency, optimization of the process variables affecting corrosion of mild steel was carried out using the Box – Behnken Design plan and desirability function of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The three parameters - varied include; TCL concentration (inhibitor), immersion time, and temperature and there effects in corrosion inhibition were established. The optimum conditions predicted from the quadratic model were inhibitor’s concentratrion (0.39 g/l), exposure time (8.68 hours), and temperature (36.06 oC) with the inhibition efficiency of 91.95 %. The data fitted well to the quadratic model which was validated. Adsorption of the extract’s component on the mild steel was responsible for the inhibitory effect of the TCL extract.The results showed that 97.92% of the total variation in the inhibition efficiency of TCL can be connected to the variables studied.
Keywords: Mild steel, acid, Terminalia catappa, Corrosion, Response surface methodology (RSM).
Anticancer and antioxidant studies of the methanol extract and fractions of <i>Conyza sumatrensis</i> (retz.) E. H. Walker (asteraceae
Authors: Ikpefan E.O. , Ayinde B.A. , Mudassar B.A. , Farooq Ahsana Dar 
Published: July 2020

The in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant studies of the leaf extract and fractions of Conyza sumatrensis was investigated by applying the Sulforhodamine-B and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays (DPPH-RSA) respectively. While the antiproliferative activity was carried out at 1-250 and 1-100 μg/ mL for the extract and fractions against breast (MCF-7) and lung (NCI-H460) cancer cell lines, the antioxidant study was conducted using DPPH at 31.25 -500 μg/ mL with the total phenolic and flavonoid contents calculated as well with reference to quercetin and gallic acid respectively. The extract and fractions were observed to elicit cytotoxic and growth inhibitory effects against breast (MCF-7) and lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H460) respectively. At 250 μg/mL, the extract of C. sumatrensis gave cytotoxicity of –1.76 ± 0.20 % against MCF-7 cell lines and inhibited growth of NCI-H460 at +94.40 ± 1.0 % respectively. While the chloroform fraction at 100 μg/mL gave -5.38 ± 0.33 % and 91 ± 1.61 % against MCF-7 and NCI-H460 cell lines, the aqueous fraction was observed to be inactive. For the DPPH-RSA activity, the chloroform fraction demonstrated an IC50 value of 125.5 μg/ mL compare to quercetin at 62.5 μg/ mL. The bioactivities were more pronounced in the chloroform fraction. This work has shown that C. sumatrensis has antiproliferative and antioxidant activities which could be tied to the secondary metabolites present in the plant.
Neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of <i>Aloe barbadensis</i> on the cortical cells of adult Wistar rats following monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Bamigboye S.O. , Ayannuga O.A. , Abijo A.Z. 
Published: July 2020

The study assessed the oxidative state and cellular changes of the cerebral cortex following monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats, with a view to evaluate the effects of varying doses of aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis (AB) over a four-week period. Eighty Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 20 rats; Group 1 (Control group) received 3 mL/kg of distilled water. Groups 2, 3 and 4 received 3 g/kg/day of MSG dissolved in distilled water. In addition, Groups 3 and 4 received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of AB extract respectively. Oral administration of the above lasted for 28 days in all groups. Five rats per group were sacrificed weekly for 4 weeks. The brain was harvested; one cerebral hemisphere was homogenised for oxidative state assessment. The other hemisphere was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and stained with H&E and Cresyl violet. Data were analyzed using student t-test and p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Malodialdehyde concentration and densities of degenerating neuron and oligodendrocyte were significantly higher in group 2 compared with group 1 over the 4-week period. No significant difference was noted between groups 1, 3 and 4 for same parameters. Nissl bodies depletion was noted in group 2 across the 4 weeks, lesser degree of depletion was noted in groups 3 and 4. This study concludes that oral administration of MSG resulted in increased lipid peroxidation and depletion of Nissl bodies resulting in degeneration of cortical cells. Aloe barbadensis at 100 mg/kg was sufficient to protect the brain.