bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collapsing towards Extinction? Trade in Birds Carcasses for Traditional Medicine and the Decline of Vulture Population in Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Muhammad N.D. , Mustapha Z.K. 
Published: June 2020

Decline in vulture populations have seriously reported in Nigeria as in other habits around the world. Human pressure from poisoning, hunting and trading for traditional medicine are key factors leading to decline of vulture population in northern Nigeria. This study examines vulture trading for traditional medicine as risk factor for the raptors population decline in Katsina with a view to providing baseline information for reviewing conservation policies in the State and Nigeria at large. The study is a survey research involving questionnaire administration and interview of seventy two stakeholders who were sampled using snowball sampling technique as follows: vulture stall owners (n=58) and abattoir employees (n=10) and traditional healers (n= 4). A total of five locations were surveyed based on the understanding that they possess the most specialized fetish markets and important centres of vulture trading in Katsina State. Percentage and mean were used for data analysis. The study found that trading of vulture is proliferating in the area as more than 50% of the stalls were opened between 2016 and 2019. It also revealed that 80% of the fetish stalls are located outside Katsina town for fear of authorities fighting illicit trade of vulture. Also revealed was that prices of vulture vary in space and depend on relationships with customers: a whole vulture costs N21000 (ca. $55.55) which soars as high as N27000 (ca. $75) outside Katsina town and N30000 (ca. $83) in times of scarcity. This study recommended that there is the need to carry out nationwide comprehensive assessment of trade in avifauna for improving conservation policies and practices in Nigeria.
Keywords: carcasses, fetish stalls, traditional medicine, conservation
Ethnic Pattern of Mushroom Consumption in Delta State Nigeria
Authors: Ihayere C.A. , Igben J.L. 
Published: June 2020

This study examines the frequency of mushroom consumption among the various ethnic groups in Delta State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from a structured questionnaire administered on a sample of 240 respondents randomly selected from 6 settlements, one each from the six ethnic groups in the study area. The result reveals a variation in the proportion and frequency of mushroom consumption among the various ethnic groups. Urhobo with 12 consumers (30 %) (Very high 1, high 2, Low 3 and very low 6 frequency), Isoko with 14 consumers (35%) (Very high 2, high 4, Low 3 and very low 5 frequency), Itsekiri with 18 consumers (45%) (Very high 0, high 2, Low 4 and very low 12 frequency), Ijaw with 18 consumers (45%) (Very high 1, high 2, Low 4 and very low 10 frequency), Ukwuani with 36 consumers (90%) (Very high 14, high 11, Low 6 and very low 5 frequency), Ibo with 38 consumers (95%) (Very high 17, high 13, Low 6 and very low 2). Mushroom consumption was influenced by the availability of the fungi, which is dependent upon the ecology of the area. Consequently, the study recommends the cultivation of mushrooms to supplement the natural production of the fungi.
Keywords: Mushrooms, Mycophagy, Ecology, Delta State
Bioremediation of Lead Contaminated Agricultural Soil using Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Atikpo E. , Ihimekpen N.I. 
Published: June 2020

This study focused on the use of Klebsiella pneumoniae for bioremediation of lead (Pb) contaminated agricultural soil used for sustainable farming. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GBC SensAAS, Model no. A6358) was used to measure the concentration of Pb in the soil. Results showed that the organism first reduced the initial concentration of lead from 181.41 mg/kg to below the maximum allowable limit of 100 mg/kg in 14 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P< 0.05 shows the significance for only single factors in the order of temperature and stirring frequency with P value of 0.0015, volume of nutrient and mass of organism with P value of 0.0016 and pH with P value of 0.0018. The factors were ranked in the order of stirring frequency, temperature, volume of nutrient, mass of organism and pH with their respective percentage contributions of 18.20%, 17.97%,17.57%, 17.52% and 16.88%.
Keywords: Lead, soil remediation, Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Cadmium, Cobalt, Lead and Zinc Levels in Soil and Edible Vegetables in Yala Urban Area of Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Akpe M.A. , Ubua P.U. , Onyebuenyi I.B. 
Published: June 2020

The average level of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the soil and edible vegetables samples collected randomly in Yala Urban Area of Cross River State was determined using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The samples were digested and analyzed for the metals level or concentration in Chemistry Laboratory, University of Calabar. The eight vegetables selected for the study were Amaranthus spp., Corchorusolitorius, Murraya koenigii, Ocimum grattissimum, Solanum melongena, Talinum triangulare, Telferia occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina. The results indicated that the average level of the metals in the soil in mgkg-1 ranged from (0.005-0.021) and (0.004-0.019) in rainy and dry seasons respectively for Cadmium, (0.162- 0.475) and (0.163- 0.472) in rainy and dry season respectively for Cobalt, and (0.434-1.030) and (0.432-1.027) in rainy and dry season respectively for Zinc. Also, the average level of the metals accumulated by the vegetables in mgkg-1 ranged from (0.002-0.009) and (0.001- 0.007) in rainy and dry season respectively for Cadmium, (0.050-0.198) and (0.048-0.195) in rainy and dry season respectively for Cobalt, and (0.158-0.383) and (0.156-0.380) in rainy and dry season respectively for Zinc. The level of Lead in the soil or vegetables was not detected. The average level of metals accumulated by the vegetables and that present in the soil was in the order: Zinc > Cobalt > Cadmium > Lead. These results revealed that there is no significant difference between the level of metals in the soil or that accumulated by the vegetables in rainy and dry seasons of the year. Also the level of metals accumulated by most of the vegetables was directly proportional to the amount present in the soil where they are planted. The Target Hazard Quotients of these metals was less than 1. These results imply that the concentration of Cadmium, Cobalt, Zinc and Lead in the soil and vegetables were still low and within the permissible limits of World Health Organization. Thus, the consumption of the vegetables in the area may not pose any health risk for now.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Concentration, Soil, Edible vegetables.
Effects of Seasonal Characteristics of Kolo Creek Flooding on Farm-Plot Sizes in Central Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Eli H.D. , Bariweni P.A. 
Published: June 2020

Perennial flooding is a known environmental hazard in many parts of the Niger Delta. Concern about flooding increases when places of importance to man, such as farmlands and settlements, and food supply systems are affected. This study assessed the effect of Seasonal Characteristics of Kolo Creek flooding on farm-plot sizes and crop production during the flood and non – flood seasons. A direct contact survey methodology was employed to measure farm-plot sizes and their extent of inundation during flood and non – flood seasons, and 400 randomly selected farmers along the Kolo Creek, Central Niger Delta were interviewed with a semi – structured questionnaire. Results from the study showed a mean farm-plot size of 0.51±0.00 (Ha) during the non-flood period and 0.10±0.00 (Ha) during the flood period. The results obtained from the study also indicated that only 20.93% of the farm-plots available during the non – flood period was available for farming during the flood period; more than half of the farmlands of about 88.50% of the farmers was seasonally inundated by flood and only 1.75% of the farmers had less than half of the farmlands under the floodwaters. Although farmers adapted by owning many – but – small farm-plots, they cultivated only a few varieties of crops, most of which were not flood tolerant. The study concluded that Kolo Creek flooding greatly reduced farm-plot sizes and therefore recommended the planting of more flood-tolerant crops to maximize use of land and improve crop productivity in the area.
Keywords: Seasonal flooding, farm-plot sizes, Kolo Creek, Niger Delta
Radiological Status of Drinking Water Sources Around a Coal Mining Site in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Momoh A.H. , Ochalla I. , Ocheni D.O. , Ajibade D.R. , Bello A.I. 
Published: June 2020

The radioactivity of drinking water sources around Okaba coal mining area in Ankpa local government area of Kogi state, North central Nigeria have been carried out using a low background Gasless Alpha- Beta Counting System (Protean Instrument Corporation) – MPC 2000DP. The gross alpha and gross beta activity of water samples from four (4) sources (river/stream, borehole, sachet water and rain water) was measured. The grossalphaand gross-beta activity concentrations recorded were below the safe limits of 0.5 Bq/l and 1 Bq/l respectively, as recommended by the world health organization (WHO, 2017). Also, results of the committed effective dose (for adult and infant) calculated were all below the reference dose level (RDL) of 0.1mSv/yr (WHO, 2017) except for BW3 whose adult dose was above the RDL. Therefore, there is no immediate risk of internal radiation exposure to the populace via intake of water from the four major sources of drinking water around Okaba coal mining area. However, caution should be taken especially with regards long-term consumption of the ground water (BW3).
Keywords: Okaba, radioactivity, gross-alpha, gross-beta, coal, water
Development of a Model and Sensor Based Smart Irrigation System
Authors: Ogedengbe T.I. , Eta O.M. , Ogunbiyi A.A. 
Published: June 2020

Water availability is a critical variable for virtually every economic activity, including agriculture and industry, the energy sector and public use. Specifically, Farmers could waste thousands of cubic meters of water daily through Irrigation. This project developed a smart irrigation system capable of making autonomous decision of irrigating the soil with an appropriate amount of water required through monitoring of soil irrigation factors. The soil moisture level and the rainfall status were the soil irrigation factors considered. The threshold values of the irrigation factors required for soil to be irrigated were established. Subsequently, a system was developed to sense the soil irrigation factors and monitor when the threshold values are reached so that necessary information is communicated to switch on or off a water pump designed for irrigation purpose. The system is implemented with a PIC16f876A microcontroller. The results of performance evaluation conducted on the system revealed that the system is able to monitor and estimate the soil irrigation factors with good accuracy. Also, the system is able to start the water pump to irrigate soil and stop it as appropriate depending on whether the soil irrigation factors value indicates need for irrigation or not.
Keywords: Irrigation; Autonomous; System; Microcontroller; Threshold.
Effects of Degumming Waste Cooking Oil on the Physicochemical and Fuel Properties of Biodiesel
Authors: Mustapha A.O. , Amodu T.A. , Adepoju R.A. 
Published: June 2020

The waste cooking oil (WCO) has been a prospective and cheap feedstock for biodiesel with no competing food uses, but impurities affects biodiesel yield and result in higher production cost. This study examined the effects of degumming WCO on the physicochemical and fuel properties of biodiesel using degummed-bleached cooking oil (DCO), and methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide catalyst. The properties and fatty acids profile were determined using the Association of Officials of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), American Society for Test and Material (ASTM) Quality, gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS) technique while the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) gave the foremost peak regions between 1600-3600 cm-1. The pH of degummed cooking methyl ester (DCME), degummed-bleached cooking oil (DCO) and WCO varied between 5.83 and 8.61. Density of DCME, DCO and WCO varied between 0.88 and 0.93 (g/cm3). Comparing the quality improvements between DCO and WCO, the results showed percentage increases in properties such as recovery yield (8.5%), acid value (61.5%), saponification value (10.8%), iodine value (4.9%), peroxide value (26.9%), calorific value (10.9%), specific gravity (6.3%), density (2.2%), kinematic viscosity @ 40OC (54.2%), smoke point, OC (30.9%), flash point, OC (12.1%), fire point, OC (10.8%), pour point @ 40oC (2.3%), higher heating value (0.7%), and cetane number (-29.6%). The fatty acids profile in DCO has octanoic acid (5.86%), benzoic acid (3.74%), and hexadecanoic acid (74%) was the most abundant. The biodiesel from DCO as feedstock have quality improvements over WCO, and values compared well with ASTM standard recommendations.
Keywords: biodiesel, waste cooking oil, degumming, physicochemical
Sedimentology and Paleogeographic Synthesis of Cretaceous Sediments in Auchi Area of Anambra Basin
Authors: Ilegieuno O.A. , Ighodaro E.J. , Sunny R.O. 
Published: June 2020

The sedimentary rock in the Auchi area of Edo State constitutes part of the Upper Cretaceous Deposits of the Anambra Basin, which has its depocentre in Eastern Nigeria. Lithostratigraphic and Sedimentological studies carried out on twenty eight (28) selected samples from a section of a road–cut show that the sediments range from fine through medium to coarse grained. Sorting is poor to moderate. Grain size analysis shows that the sediments are strongly fine skewed and they exhibit mesokurtic to platykurtic kurtosis. These coupled with the various colours observed in the sediment, ranging from whitish sand through yellowish brown, pink and reddish brown possibly indicate a non–marine environment and a fluviatile to deltaic environment of sedimentation is suggested. The sediments might have been transported in a fairly high energy medium and deposited under a slightly fluctuating velocity.
Keywords: Sedimentology, Cretaceous, Paleogeography, Grain size, Anambra Basin
Response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum-based diet on growth performance and Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection
Authors: Nwabueze A.A. , Ekelemu J.K. , Owe O.A. 
Published: June 2020

The response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum on growth performance and as anti-bacterial agent in Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection was evaluated. A. sativum was included at 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% in fish diet. Twenty fish samples each were randomly distributed into four tanks (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight for twelve weeks. All fish were challenged with 0.5ml of pure culture of S. aureus. A significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight, total length and standard length was observed. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion promoted highest growth with feed conversion ratio (1.25-1.41), protein efficiency ratio (1.72-0.56), specific growth rate (1.92-2.09), condition factor (0.83-1.99) and survival rate (60-95). Fish-fed A. sativum diet showed that 4.5% inclusion had the least S. aureus activity. Bacteria load significantly (P<0.05) decrease at week 12. Culture water had dissolved oxygen of 4.0 - 4.2 mg/L, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature of 26.0-28.0oC. This study has shown that A. sativum supplemented diets enhanced growth of C. gariepinus and functioned as antibacterial agent against S. aureus. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion in diet is recommended for better fish growth and 4.5% A. sativum for antibacterial action.
Keywords: Fish, herb, growth, infection
Analysis of a Malaria Transmission Model in Children
Authors: Eguda F.Y. , Ocheme A.C. , Sule M.M. , Andrawus J. , Babura I.B. 
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a nine compartmental model for malaria transmission in children was developed and a threshold parameter called control reproduction number which is known to be a vital threshold quantity in controlling the spread of malaria was derived. The model has a disease free equilibrium which is locally asymptotically stable if the control reproduction number is less than one and an endemic equilibrium point which is also locally asymptotically stable if the control reproduction number is greater than one. The model undergoes a backward bifurcation which is caused by loss of acquired immunity of recovered children and the rate at which exposed children progress to the mild stage of infection.
Keywords: Malaria, Model, Backward Bifurcation, Local Stability.
Preliminary clinical experience of low-level laser therapy for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis-associated pain: A retrospective investigation on 17 dogs
Authors: Barale Loris , Monticelli Paolo , Raviola Massimo , Adami Chiara 
Published: June 2020

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is common in dogs and causes chronic pain that affects the quality of life and may not respond to analgesics.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) would improve the quality of life and help reducing systemic analgesics, in dogs with OA.Methods: Seventeen client-owned dogs diagnosed with OA and associated pain were included. The diagnosis of OA was confirmed by orthopedic and radiographic examination. Pain was evaluated in each dog with the canine brief pain inventory (CBPI), compiled by the dog owners, as well as with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the colorado state canine chronic pain scale, used by the clinician. The LLLT was performed weekly in each study dog, for a total period of 6 weeks. The CBPI was then repeated at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the first laser session, whereas the VAS was reassessed at weeks 2 and 6. The dogs were observed for the occurrence of laser-related side effects.Results: Both CBPI and VAS were significantly reduced after the first laser session (9.2 ± 3.8 and 5.2 ± 1.1, respectively) compared to pretreatment values (11.8 ± 3.6 and 7.6 ± 0.9, respectively; and p = 0.018 and p < 0.001, respectively) and continued to decrease over time until the end of the therapy. Based on these results and improved function, as assessed by the orthopedic surgeon, the pharmacological analgesic therapy was reduced by the clinician at week 2 in 13 of 17 dogs. Laser-related side effects were not observed.Conclusion: This retrospective report provides a basis for future investigations, needed to clarify whether laser therapy may be beneficial to treat canine OA-associated pain. The preliminary findings are promising and suggest that LLLT may help reducing the analgesic administration and improving client satisfaction and the quality of life of dogs with OA.
Keywords: Canine osteoarthritis, Chronic pain, Low-intensity laser therapy, Orthopedic pain.
Laryngeal stent for acute and chronic respiratory distress in seven dogs with laryngeal paralysis
Authors: Ricart María Cecilia , Rodríguez Sergio Martín , Duré Roberto Miguel 
Published: June 2020

Background: Laryngeal paralysis, failure of arytenoid cartilage, and vocal fold abduction are commonly seen in older medium to large breed dogs. Observation of laryngeal function in dogs and cats is performed by transoral visualization. There are a variety of surgical techniques; aspiration pneumonia is the most common complication associated with surgical correction of laryngeal paralysis. The aim of this case series is to report on the placement of a laryngeal silicone stent in seven dogs with laryngeal paralysis and its use as an alternative treatment of respiratory distress caused by laryngeal paralysis and/or its use for laryngeal stenosis as complication of laryngeal paralysis surgery.Case description: Seven dogs presented with either episode of gagging, mild-to-severe inspiratory distress, or cyanosis because of a laryngeal paralysis or laryngeal stenosis. In each case, the laryngeal paralysis was diagnosed by direct laryngoscopy. They were treated with a silicone laryngeal stent (Stening®) that substantially improved the clinical signs. Each dog had a different outcome because of other pathologies; however, the laryngeal pathology was successfully treated with the stent.Conclusion: The placement of the laryngeal stent is an easy technique to learn and practice, it could avoid the lifethreatening complications of the laryngeal paralysis at the acute phase, and it could be a noninvasive and long-term alternative therapy for laryngeal paralysis in dogs. The results in these clinical cases are encouraging for considering the laryngeal stent as a therapeutic alternative.
Key words: Canine, Polyneuropathy, Prosthesis, Surgery.
Atrial septal defect closure in a midget toy poodle
Authors: Sugimoto Keisuke , Mochizuki Yohei , Kanda Teppei , Ohnishi Akihiro , Miyabe Masahiro , Wada Yuko , Kochi Masaki , Aoki Takuma 
Published: June 2020

Background: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a rare congenital cardiac disease, and there have been no reports about the treatment of ASD in midget breed dogs.Case Description: A 7-month-old female toy poodle weighing 1.4 kg presented with cardiac enlargement. Echocardiography revealed a secundum-type ASD, right ventricular and atrial enlargement, and pulmonary hypertension. Blood flow through the ASD exhibited left-to-right shunting. The dog underwent ASD closure through a hybrid approach, in conjunction with catheter techniques and thoracotomy. Ten months after treatment, cardiac enlargement and pulmonary hypertension were improved.Conclusion: Even in midget dog breeds, ASD can be corrected through a hybrid approach.
Keywords: Canine, Cardiology, Catheter, Congestive heart failure, Small breed.
Rapid identification and genotyping of the honeybee pathogen <i>Paenibacillus larvae</i> by combining culturing and multiplex quantitative PCR
Authors: Beims Hannes , Janke Martina , Von der Ohe Werner , Steinert Michael 
Published: June 2020

Background: American Foulbrood (AFB) is a devastating disease of honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae caused by the spore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. In most countries, the law requires mandatory reporting of AFB to the veterinary authority.Aim and Methods: To speed up detection and genotyping of P. larvae spores, we compared different culturing protocols on Columbia sheep blood agar and developed a new multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction to distinguish between the two relevant P. larvae genotypes enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) I and ERIC II.Results and Conclusion: As confirmed by P. larvae reference strains and field isolates, the new identification and genotyping protocol halves the time of current workflows, lessens labor-intension, allows a higher throughput of samples for monitoring, and permits a faster intervention to prevent the spread of AFB.
Keywords: American Foulbrood, ERIC genotyping, Multiplex quantitative PCR, Paenibacillus larvae, Rapid detection.