bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public Reason and Embodied Community- Intercultural Philosophical Perspective: An African Approach
Authors: Eboh Marie Pauline 
Published: July 2020

Every human person is a cultural being. Each culture has incomplete knowledge of reality, and the sharing of viewpoints makes for mutual enrichment, hence the need for intercultural perspectives. Even in a human being, body and spirit, emotion and reason reciprocally influence on each other. Life is dialogical. Action gives flesh to theory, and the abstract reason is exemplified in real things, which is what embodiment of reason is all about. Principles govern all things and public reason, as a causal principle, regulates the affairs of embodied homogeneous communities. African embodiment of reason is self-evident in names and allegories wherein rational thoughts and ideas are personified the way sentient robots embody or personify Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this treatise, we shall use allegory, nomenclature, traditional songs, apophthegms, etc., to show how Africans wisely incarnate ideas in things. As it is analogous to modern-day AI, we shall not only highlight the African approach to public reason and embodied community but also tangentially discuss the effect of AI on the global community, of which Africa is a subunit. In conclusion, we shall caution against the empowering of robots with logical reasoning, and the disempowering and denaturalizing of humans.
Keywords: Reason, Embodiment, Philosophy, Principle and Community.
Surveying the assessment components suitability for engineering learning in a challenging educational environment
Authors: Eneje Samuel , Scholar S. 
Published: July 2020

This study used a mixed methodology to investigates the possibility of using blended assessment for engineering education in a challenging learning environment. It discussed the outcome of the evaluation, which is problematized by the influences of an encumbered learning environment. It used the blended engineering models to investigate the circumstances of assessments and its outcomes in a university situated in the sub-Sahara African region. It revealed the experiences of post-internship engineering students using a single blended course. The survey showed that students` knowledge of factors impeding thorough assessment for productivity in the region and advocated ways of improvement. It disclosed past and present assessment percentage shares in addition to suggesting a preferred assessment percentage share required for graduating skilled engineers. The result uncovered where assessment might be situated so that there is a satisfactory learning outcome for engineering programs.
Keywords: Blended engineering learning, Challenged educational environments, Assessment outcomes.
Reproductive biology of four weedy <i>Euphorbia</i> species from Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Bolaji A.O. , Idowu-Aiye M. , Moronfade H.O. 
Published: July 2020

Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Euphorbia hirta Linn., Euphorbia hyssopifolia Linn. and Euphorbia prostrata Linn. are four noxious, yet economically important weeds, useful as phytomedicine in some parts of the world and also in Nigeria. Studies were carried out on their reproductive biology with a view to understanding the mode of their spread. Parameters investigated include number of days to seedling emergence, germinationpercentage, number of days to flowering, period to anthesis, pollinators, pollen viability, pollen size, floral structure, fruits type, seeds type, average number of fruit per plant, average number of seeds per plant and mode of seed dispersal. Results obtained showed that the seedlings of the four Euphorbia species studied emerged within 3 to 5 days; numbers of days to 50% flowering took 44 to 58 days; while flowering and fruiting continuedthroughout the remaining part of the year; thus exhibited r-strategy, expending more time and allocation of resources on their reproductive phases than their vegetative phases. Also differences existed in their stigma shape, perianth colour, perianth texture, pollen sizes, pollen viability as well as ripened colour of seed which were all significant characters that could be useful in delimiting the species. Furthermore, the study revealed that thefour species were essentially insect pollinated and their seeds dispersed by means of explosive mechanism usually characteristic of their schizocarpic fruits. This ability as well as their tendency to exhibit r-strategy could probably account for their ability to spread and invade cultivated fields, waste lands and roadsides.
Keywords: Explosive mechanism, r-Strategy, Seed dispersal, Pollen viability, Seed set
Taxonomic significance of some leaf anatomical features of the species of <i>Annona L.</i> (annonaceae) from Nigeria
Authors: Adeniran S.A. , Kadiri A.B. , Olowokudejo J.D. 
Published: July 2020

A comparative study of the some leaf anatomical features of four species of Annona occurring in Nigerian was undertaken with the aid of light microscope. The four foliar structures (epidermis, petiole, midrib and lamina architecture) studied revealed useful characters which support recognition of the species. A combination of these features has been used to prepare an artificial indented dichotomous key for identifying the species. The generic constant features encountered included hypostomata, paracytic stomatal type, linear nerves endings, uneven midrib outline, and centrally located vascular bundles in the petiole and midrib. However, the most reliable distinguishing characters found across the species included presence of brachyparacytic stomata in A. reticulata, presence of trichomes on the midrib in A. senegalensis, absence of druses on the abaxial surface in A. muricata and A. squamosa, a thick pitted anticlinal walls on the surfaces of A. muricata and consistent polygonal areola shape in A. squamosa. The overlapping characters which also justify the closeness of the species and their grouping in a genus were recorded in both the qualitative and quantitative features. Prominent among them are the mean stomatal width which is about 1.0 μm in all species, nerve endings within the areole which varies between 1-2, U- or V-shaped midrib on the adaxial surface and straight to curved anticlinal wall pattern. The significance of these observations is discussed in updating the existing data in the genus.
Keywords: Epidermis, Microscopy, Midrib, Petiole, Systematic
Effect of social capital on food security status of rural farm households in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Osondu C.K. 
Published: July 2020

This study analysed the effect of social capital on food security status of rural farm households in Enugu state, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in collecting data from 180 farm households using structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index, Tobit regression and Pearson product moment correlation. Results showed that the farm households had mean monthly food expenditure/consumption of ₦14,600. Result of social capital dimensions showed that the farm households belonged to at least 2 associations and had cash contribution index of 68.01% and participated in two out of three decision making processes of their association. Result also showed that 58.33% of the farm households were relatively food secure. Result of Tobit regression analysis showed that cash contribution index, membership density index, association heterogeneity index and decision making index significantly influenced the rural farm households’ food security status. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between social capital and food security status of the farm households at 5% level. The study recommends that relevant agencies with mandate to enhance food security status of farm households should make policies aimed at promoting membership of farmers to local agricultural associations/cooperatives where opportunities for access to social capital abound.
Keywords: Farm households, food security, social capital
Nutrients content and nutritive values of the leaves of alley woody species used in alley farming in Umudike Southern Nigeria
Authors: Onyenso A.I. , Nwobodo K.A. , Yakubu A.M. 
Published: July 2020

Alley farming is an agroforestry system that utilizes trees for maintaining soil fertility and improving livestock production. This research assessed the nutrients and nutritive values of the leaves of four alley woody species: Cajanus cajan, Gliricidia sepium, Flamingia macrophylla and Leucaena leucocephala used at the agroforestry research farm of Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Umudike. The results obtained showed that the leaves of the alley woody species contained: N, P, K, Ca, Mg and heavy metals like: Fe, Pb, Zn, and Cd in significant quantity while Cr was trace amount. Ni content was not significant (P>0.05). They also contained high moisture, Crude fibre, Crude protein, Carbohydrate and vitamins. The four alley woody species could be an ideal combination in alley farming system in revitalizing poor agricultural soil through litterfall and nutrient cycling and as well provide forage for livestock production.
Keywords: Alley farming, alley woody species, nutrient content, nutritive value
Prophetie et structure de l’intrigue dans le Roman Africain d’expression Française: Le cas de <i>l’etrange destin de Wangrin </i> d’Amadou Hampate ba
Authors: Wosu Kalu 
Published: July 2020

Amadou Hampâté Bâ est né en 1901, et pour cela, il s’est surnommé « fils ainé du XXe siècle ». De son vivant, il a fait la collecte des traditions orales africaines en voie de disparition. En collaboration avec les ethnologues tels Géneviève Calame-Griaule, Germaine Dieterlen, Marcel Griaule, etc., Amadou Hampâté Bâ laisse à la postérité un corps important du patrimoine africain sous formes de contes, d’essais autobiographiques, et d’un roman. C’est bien ce souci de préservation du patrimoine oral qu’il a prononcé une phrase qui est devenue un proverbe : En Afrique lorsqu’un vieillard meurt, c’est toute une bibliothèque qui brule. II est décédé en 1991 à l‘âge de 90 ans. L’Etrange destin de Wangrin, son seul roman, est devenu, dès sa parution en 1973, un des classiques de la littérature négro -africaine d’expression française. Ce roman est une peinture saisissante du colonialisme français en Afrique, surtout à la conjoncture historique de la première grande guerre. Il témoigne aussi du choc entre les traditions millénaires des Africains et les valeurs culturelles du Blanc véhiculées par la colonisation. L’Etrange destin de Wangrin suit la trame narrative du théâtre tragique grec en ce sens que le personnage héros est soumis à la volonté d’un destin capricieux. Ses gestes sont prédéterminés par les forces occultes qui l’entrainent dès sa naissance, en passant par des péripéties, jusqu’au geste fatal qui annonce une mort inéluctable Notre visée dans la présente étude porte sur le rôle que joue la prophétie tant dans la programmation du destin de Wangrin, le personnage éponyme du roman, que dans la structure dynamique du récit.
Mots-clés : prophétie, dynamique, structurant, divination, Amadou Hampâté Bâ
A pragma-syntactic analysis of slogans on t-shirts
Authors: Nwala Michael Alozie 
Published: July 2020

The T-shirts and the slogans on them are used to achieve different discourse and communicative themes. The T-shirts help to describe people, events, positions and situations. This article written the confines of the theoretical framework of multimodal discourse analysis and the qualitative design, investigates five different types of T-shirts. The T-shirts and the inscriptions on them as exemplified in the themes of readiness, position and desire, happiness and celebration, and protest are used to describe the wearers, address situations and pass information to the public. The paper therefore concludes that T-shirts and the slogans scripted on them perform different types of illoucutionary actions which cause different forms perlocutionary reactions
Key Words: T-shirts, slogans, themes, multimodal, cloth; communication
Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous Seed Extract of <i>Citrullus Lanatus</i> (Water Melon) on Liver Function Parameters and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Lead Treated Rats
Authors: Rabiu S. , Bello A. , Dandare A. , Sadiq M.E. 
Published: July 2020

Extensive and unmonitored use of lead in developing and industrialized countries is posing a serious threat to human health. Prolonged exposure of a sub-lethal dose of this toxicant is closely related to its accumulation in various soft tissues and its interference with bio elements that hamper several physiological processes. The study was designed to investigate the potential effect of aqueous seed extract of Citrullus lanatus on liver function parameters and oxidative stress markers. Forty healthy albino rats of both sexes were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1: Normal, Group 2 Lead untreated, dose 15mg/kg lead acetate. Group 3 and 4 were dosed 15mg/kg lead acetate and aqueous seed extract 50mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively for 21 days. The present study revealed that AST, ALT and ALP levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in lead induced untreated group compared to control. There was no observed difference in serum total proteins (P > 0.05) among all the groups but albumin, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared to control. Serum vitamin A and E concentration were shown to have decreased in lead untreated groups while Vitamin C level remained unchanged. The level of GSH and catalase activity increased in the treatment groups with decreased in MDA level. It is therefore suggested that aqueous seed extract of water melon might be rich in antioxidants, hence effective in preventing lipid peroxidation.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Citrullus lanatus, Lead, Oxidative stress.
<i>In Vitro</i>Degradation of Bitumen from Tar Sand by Microorganisms around the Bitumen Deposit
Authors: Okpo U.F. , Aborisade A.T. 
Published: July 2020

In vitro degradation of bitumen by microorganisms isolated around bitumen deposit at Agbabu was investigated. The microorganisms were isolated from soil sample collected around bitumen deposit and bitumen itself. The ability of individual isolates to utilize bitumen as sole carbon source in mineral salt medium was investigated. The results showed a decrease in the pH of the medium with an increase in the bacteria cell densities within the period of incubation, thereby confirming activities of the isolates in the medium. Bacillus subtilis (29.15%) caused highest weight loss from the bitumen, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.03%) caused the least among the bacteria isolate. Other bacteria isolated were Acinetobacter sp. and Staphylococcus aureus. All the isolates caused weight loss from the bitumen. For moulds, Arthrobotrys oligospora caused higher percentage weight loss (19.13%), than Aspergillus niger in 28 days of incubation. By the 56 days of incubation, Bacillus subtilis was responsible for highest weight loss (49.50%), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited the lowest percentage (23.17%). For the moulds, Arthrobotrys oligospora caused the higher weight loss (42.83%) while Aspergillus niger had 37.33%. Thus, this established that the microorganisms isolated from the soil around the Agbabu bitumen and the bitumen itself could degrade bitumen from tar sand, hence their potential usefulness in remediation of bitumen polluted environment when the exploitation of the resource commenced.
Keywords: Bitumen; Bacteria; Mould; Hydrocarbon
Phytomedical Potentials of <i>Chromolaena Odorata</i> Against Arsenic-Induced Testicular Toxicity In Wistar Rats
Authors: Ola-Davies O.E. , Oloye A.A. 
Published: July 2020

The testicular, sperm and endocrine protective properties of Chromolaena odorata (CA) in arsenic treated rats were investigated using forty male wistar rats (190-200g) grouped into 4 (A to D) of ten rats each. Oral administrations for 2 weeks of 0.2ml corn oil (A), 2.5mg/kg of sodium arsenite (B), 200mg/kg ethanol leaf extract (ELE) of CA (C), 200mg/kg ELE of CA and 2.5mg/kg sodium arsenite given at 1 hour interval (D) were done. Twenty-four hours after final administrations, semen, blood biochemical and hormonal analyses were carried out after sacrifice of the rats. Results revealed that Group C’s mean scrotal circumference, Left and Right testicular weights were highest across groups and significant compared to group B values (p<0.05). Group C had significantly (P<0.05) highest mean value of sperm motility across the groups just as group A was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of groups B and D. Significantly low Testosterone and high luteinizing hormone concentrations were observed in group B. It was concluded in this study that ethanol leaf extract of Chromolena odorata had a profound scrotal, testicular, sperm and endocrine protective properties in arsenic-treated wistar strain albino rats.
Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, Reproductive toxicity, Arsenic, Testicular, Wistar rats
Bioassay guided phytochemistry of aerial part of <i>Laportea Aestuans</i> (l.) chew (urticaceae)
Authors: Oguntimehin S.A. , Oriola A.O. , Obuotor E.M. , Aladesanmi A.J. 
Published: July 2020

There are evidences that free radicals mediated damages play important role in the aetiology of several diseases necessitating search for antioxidants especially from natural origin. Free radical scavenging activities of Laportea aestuans (Urticaceae) is well documented, therefore this study aims at evaluating the safety of L. aestuans and isolating free radical scavenging compound(s) from the plant extract. The aerial (leaves, stem and inflorescence) parts of L. aestuans were collected together and extracted with 80% methanol. The toxicity of the plant extract was evaluated using brine shrimp lethality assay and acute toxicity study while Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) bioautography with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH•) radical as detection reagent was used to guide the isolation of compounds from the plant extract. The LC50 of L. aestuans extract was 4276.87 µg/mL, suggesting that the extract is nontoxic. This was further confirmed by the healthiness of study rats following administration of the extract at 5000 mg/kg b.wt in the acute toxicity study. TLC bioautography showed that hexane fraction had the most pronounced radical scavenging activities. Three compounds identified as hexadecanoic acid butyl ester, heptadecanoic and octadecane were characterized using IR, 1H, 13C NMR, ESI – MS and GC – MS analysis.
Genetic evaluation and selection correlated response of growth traits in Japanese quail
Authors: El-Attrouny M.M. , Manaa E.A. , Ramadan S.I. 
Published: July 2020

Objectives of the current study were to i) investigate effects of selection for bodyweight at four weeks old on bodyweight (BW) and bodyweight gain (BWG) across four generations; ii) estimate correlated response to selection for BW and BWG at different ages; and iii) document best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of genetic trends for BW and BWG across four generations of selection. A total of 3540 chicks from 444 sires and 885 dams were used to estimate heritabilities, and genetic and phenotypic correlations for growth traits, including BW at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, and BWG between 0 and 2, 2 and 4, 4 and 6, and 0 and 6 weeks. The selection effects, correlated responses and genetic trend for BW and BWG across generations were quantified by applying the animal model. Estimates of heritability for BW and BWG ranged from 0.22 to 0.42 and from 0.18 to 0.23, respectively. Ranges of genetic and phenotypic correlations for BW varied from 0.31 to 0.92 and 0.05 to 0.65, respectively. Moreover, estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations for BWG at different ages were from 0.12 to 0.72 and 0.17 to 0.60, respectively. Bodyweight and BWG estimates after four generations of selection were significantly higher than those of the base generation. Moreover, contrasts of generation means were significant across the four generations. The genetic trends across the generations clarified that BLUP estimates for BW and BWG gradually increased with the advance of generations until the fourth generation.
Keywords: best linear unbiased prediction, bodyweight, heritability, selection, genetic trend
Determination of Stability Constants and Thermodynamic parameters of Cefotaxime –Fe(III) Complex at Different Temperatures
Authors: Ikpeazu O. V. , Otuokere I. E. , Igwe K. K. 
Published: July 2020

Cefotaxime, a β-lactam antibiotic, has a structure which enables it to act as a chelating agent. The formation of Fe(III) complex with cefotaxime has been studied colorimetrically at an absorption maximum of 480 nm at different temperatures. The data showed that Fe(III) and cefotaxime combine in the molar ratio of 1:1 at pH 7.4 with ionic strength maintained using 0.1M KNO3. The stability constants of the complex were calculated to be 1.56 - 1.90 x 104 by continuous variation method and 1.34 - 1.71 x 104 by mole ratio method at 25 and 40 oC respectively. ∆HƟ values for the complex were calculated to be -1.02 x 104 and -1.05 x 104 J by continuous variation method and mole ratio method respectively. ∆GƟ of the complex were calculated to be -2.44 – (-2.51) x 104 J by continuous variation method and -2.41- (- 2.48) x 104 J by mole ratio method at 25 and 40 oC. ∆SƟ of the complex were calculated to be 2.44 - 2.51 x 104 J/K by continuous variation method and -2.41 -2.48) x 104 J/K by mole ratio method at 25 and 40 oC respectively. Cefotaxime is a good chelating agent and can be an efficient antidote in the therapy of copper overload or poisoning.
Baseline Eyeball Biometrics on Computed Tomography in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Annongu I T , Mohammad H , Chia M , Chaha K , Magaji G O 
Published: July 2020

Variations in ocular sizes exist in the population and this may be congenital or pathological. Reference values are therefore essential in management of ophthalmic pathologies in the fields of Ophthalmology and Neurology. The aim of the study was to establish computer tomography (CT) scan reference values of ocular sizes in Makurdi, north central Nigeria. To avoid unjustifiable radiation dose, data obtained for this study was on 111 patients referred on account of other medical conditions, to the Radiology department for CT brain scan using Philip Brilliance 16. Measurements were taken at mid-ocular axial slices with maximum anterior-posterior and transverse dimensions. The mean ± 2 SD) ocular sizes in anterior-posterior(AP) and transverse diameter(TD) for both eyes were 22.1mm ± 1.88mm and 22.9mm ± 1.20mm respectively. The right eye was 21.9mm ± 2.33mm and 22.9mm ± 1.09mm and the left eye was 22.3mm ± 1.24mm and 23.0 ± 1.30 mm in both AP and TD respectively. The measurements were slightly higher on the left. The mean ocular measurements were higher in males and were statistically significant in the transverse measurements on both sides (P<0.04). Adult eye size was attained at age group 11-20 years and subsequently at age >70 years, there was slight reduction in ocular dimensions. Established ocular sizes on CT therefore showed that males had slightly larger eyeballs in comparison to females and there was some reduction of ocular sizes with age.