bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
All Hands on Deck: The Process and Activities of Collaboration between Chiefs and Local Government Authorities in Ghana
Authors: Boateng Kwabena , Afranie Stephen 
Published: June 2020

Local governance historically revolved around chiefs. However, colonialism witnessed the transfer of the powers and functions of chiefs to local government authorities. Current local government legislations failed to provide the needed formalised process of collaboration between the two actors resulting in conflict and tensions between them. This notwithstanding, chiefs have exhibited their preparedness to collaborate with developmental partners including local government authorities. The study examined the processes and activities that chiefs and local government authorities collaborated for the purpose of community development. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select forty-nine participants from New Juaben, Ghana. Multiple qualitative methods including participant observation, in-depth and key informant interviews were used to collect data. The study revealed that chiefs and local government authorities collaborated on an ad hoc basis in organising communal labour and sanitation, disaster management, revenue mobilisation and crime prevention. Though chiefs and local government authorities collaborated in diverse activities, the process of collaboration was not formalised. Chiefs are however needed in local governance to aid in the materialisation of the objectives of community development. The study recommends for the formalisation of the process of collaboration between the two actors to enable the former play active roles in local government.
Keywords: Collaboration, Local Government Authorities, Chiefs, Community Development
Dynamics and Socioeconomic Drivers of Illegal Hunting of Wildlife Animal for Consumption in Oba Hills Forest Reserve in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Akinsorotan O.A. , Olaniyi O.E. , Oguntuase B.G. , Raheem T. 
Published: June 2020

This study investigated the dynamics and socioeconomic drivers of illegal hunting of wildlife animal commonly called bushmeat in Oba Hills Forest Reserve (OHFR) in Southwest Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty-four households in 8 host communities were subjected to direct household survey using a multi-stage sampling technique. The results revealed that mainly young and middle-aged men engaged in group and seasonal bushmeat hunting, mostly during the dry season. Also, the scale of daily illegal bushmeat hunting is high in the protected area. Non-selective hunting has increased over the last five years with traditional means of hunting still prominent during the hunting expedition. Thus, the socioeconomic drivers (age, ethnicity and household size) had a strong relationship with illegal bushmeat hunting, and their odds ratio ranged between 2.11 and 3.73. Failure to provide stakes for the host communities’ inhabitants and weak penal system influenced illegal bushmeat hunting in OHFR. We conclude that the aforementioned factors need to be addressed for illegal bushmeat hunting to be tackled effectively. However, in the absence of political and economic stability, controlling illegal bushmeat hunting will remain extremely difficult and the future of wildlife conservation will remain bleak.
Keywords: Protected area, bushmeat hunting, conservation, seasonal employment
Adsorption of Cu (II) and Ni (II) Ions from Solution onto Calcium Alginate Beads
Authors: Jalija D.O. , Uzairu A . 
Published: June 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the biosorption of Cu (II) and Ni (II) ions from aqueous solution by calcium alginate beads. The effects of solution pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration were evaluated. The results showed that maximum Cu (II) removal (93.10%) occurred at pH of 9.0, contact time of 120 minutes and initial ion concentration of 10 mg/L while that of Ni (II) was 94.6%, which was achieved at pH of 8.0, contact time of 120 minutes and initial ion concentration of 10 mg/L. The equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir Isotherm indicating that the process is a monolayer adsorption. The coefficients of determination, R2, values for the Langmuir Isotherm were 0.9799 and 0.9822 respectively for Cu (II) and Ni (II) ions. The values of the maximum biosorption capacity, Qo, were 10.79 and 6.25 mgg-1 respectively. The kinetic data also revealed that the sorption process could best be described by the pseudo – second order kinetic model. The R2 values for the pseudo – second order kinetic plots for Cu (II) and Ni (II) were 0.9988 and 0.9969 respectively. These values were higher than those for the pseudo – first order plots. The values of the biosorption capacity qe obtained from the pseudo – second order plots were very close to the experimental values of qe indicating that the biosorption process follows the second order kinetics. This study has therefore shown that calcium alginate beads can be used for the removal of Cu (II) and Ni (II) ions from wastewaters.
Keywords: Keywords: Adsorption, Calcium alginate, Isotherm, Langmuir, Pseudo- first order, Pseudo-second order
Geochemical characterization of FE-1 well, Onshore Western Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Amiewalan F.O. , Lucas F.A. 
Published: June 2020

Major oxides and trace elements analysis was carried out on ditch cutting samples of FE-1 well, Onshore, Niger Delta Basin, to define their oxygen condition, paleo-climatic conditions, provenance, tectonic setting, sandstone classification and maturity of the sediments. Sedimentological analysis revealed five main lithofacies comprising of sandstone, shaly sand, mudstone, sandy clay and sandy shale. Geochemical results indicates that the average value of silica (87.1 wt. %) is far higher than the average values of the rest oxides which shows the duration and intensity of weathering and destruction of other minerals during transportation. Bivariate plot of La/Sc versus Th/Co, Zr versus TiO2, and trace elemental ratios of Th/Sc, Th/Co, Th/Cr, Cr/Th, La/Sc establishes that the source of the sediment are from felsic rock. Different chemical classification schemes characterized the sediments as quartzarenite, lithic arenites and Fe-rich sand. The plot of Log (K2O/Na2O) versus Log (SiO2/Al2O3) and K2O/Na2O versus SiO2 all plotted mainly in the passive margin zone. The low average value of uranium content, trace elemental ratios of U/Th, Ni/Co, Cu/Zn, V/Cr and binary plot of Ni/Co versus V/Cr indicated an oxic environment of deposition. However, the binary plot of Ni/Co versus V/ (V+Ni) indicates oxic to anoxic condition during deposition of the mixed marine and terrigenous source input sediment. Binary plot of SiO2 versus (Al2O3+Na2O+K2O) designates deposition mainly in humid/semi-humid climatic condition. The samples studied have a much higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratio with low Fe2O3/K2O ratio, thus, they are mineralogically mature. The Al2O3/(CaO+MgO+Na2O+K2O) ratio inferred that there are stable mobile oxides in the samples.
Keywords: Major oxides, lithic arenites, provenance, tectonic setting.
Effects of Solid Waste Disposal on the Receiving Soil Quality in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Sam-Uroupa E.R. , Ogbeibu A.E. 
Published: June 2020

The present study investigated the impact of solid waste disposal on the receiving soil quality of four major dump-sites and a control site in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria by collecting samples at three distances from the dump-sites of 0 – 50 m, 50 – 100 m, > 100 m at 0 – 30 cm depth. The investigation spanned from July 2011 to December 2011. Results obtained during these months were pooled together to obtain single mean for each sampling station or distance. Results showed that pH values ranged between 5.23 and 5.83, recording slight variations from one site to the other, with no significant differences (P> 0.05) across the study stations and distances. Electrical conductivity concentrations ranged from 562.00 - 982.33μS/cm, with the highest concentrations recorded at 0 - 50m, whereas concentrations were lowest beyond 100 m. Significant increased concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and V) were reported when compared with the control. The bacterial count (F= 7.527,df = 3) and fungal count (F=5.749, df = 3) of soil sample did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05) between the test stations and the control station respectively, although the mean ranks were highest in the control station.
Keywords: Benin City, dump sites, Ikhueniro, soil quality, municipal waste
Impact of Bisphenol A on the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Characteristics of Water in Storage Tanks from various Locations in Salem University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Udochukwu U. , Olannye P.G. 
Published: June 2020

This study examined the impact of Bisphenol A (BPA) on the physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of water in storage tanks in Salem University Lokoja. Borehole water samples were collected from three (3) locations within the University environment and stored in a jerry can for analysis. Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Count (THBC) in water samples ranged from 1.00± 0.30 x104 at week 0 to 8.95±1.00 x104 cfu/ml at week 3, while the total coliform count (TCC) also ranged from 1.30±0.15 x104 to 7.11±0.82 x104 cfu/ml. TCC and THBC were found to be higher than the NSDWQ Standard. The identified isolates from the borehole samples were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Serretia spp. Bisphenol A (BPA) was not detected in week 0, after week 3, components of Bisphenol A detected were methyl chloride, Benzene and Dichlorobenzene and their highest values were 0.054±0.033, 0.021±0.020 and 0.055±0.062 mg/l respectively. The pH, Turbidity, Total suspended solids, BOD and conductivity reduced as storage increased. Magnesium and calcium for sample B were found to have the highest value of 0.31 and 1.73 mg/l respectively. Storage of water for a long period of time should be discouraged as it could trigger increased leaching of BPA into the water which will affect its physicochemical and microbiologically quality.
Keywords: Bacteria, Bisphenol A, Storage Water Tanks, Drinking Water Quality.
Detection and Classification of Stator Short-Circuit Faults in Three-Phase Induction Motor
Authors: Abdullateef A.I. , Fagbolagun O.S. , Sanusi M.F. , Akorede M.F. , Afolayan M.A. 
Published: June 2020

Induction motors are the backbone of the industries because they are easy to operate, rugged, economical and reliable. However, they are subjected to stator’s faults which damage the windings and consequently lead to machine failure and loss of revenue. Early detection and classification of these faults are important for the effective operation of induction motors. Stators faults detection and classification based on wavelet Transform was carried out in this study. The feature extraction of the acquired data was achieved using lifting decomposition and reconstruction scheme while Euclidean distance of the Wavelet energy was used to classify the faults. The Wavelet energies increased for all three conditions monitored, normal condition, inter-turn fault and phase-to-phase fault, as the frequency band of the signal decreases from D1 to A3. The deviations in the Euclidean Distance of the current of the Wavelet energy obtained for the phase-to-phase faults are 99.1909, 99.8239 and 87.9750 for phases A and B, A and C, B and C respectively. While that of the inter-turn faults in phases A, B and C are 77.5572, 61.6389 and 62.5581 respectively. Based on the Euclidean distances of the faults, Df and normal current signals, three classification points were set: K1 = 0.60 x 102, K2 = 0.80 x 102 and K3 = 1.00 x 102. For K2 ≥ Df ≥ K1 inter-turn faults is identified and for K3 ≥ Df ≥ K2 phase to phase fault identified. This will improve the induction motors stator’s fault diagnosis.
Keywords: induction motor, stator fault classification, data acquisition system, Discrete Wavelet Transform
Effect of Plant Extract Combinations on Some Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Obuekwe I.S. , Okoyomo E.P. , Anka U.S. 
Published: June 2020

Increase in antimicrobial resistance coupled with successful treatment of various diseases with herbal medications has triggered the upsurge in research geared towards harnessing the medicinal potentials of various plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Bryophyllum pinnatum, Ocimum gratissimum, Jatropha curcas and Ficus exasperata and their combined antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Plant leaves were air–dried, extracted with ethyl-acetate and water with subsequent qualitative analyses for phytochemical compounds. Bacterial pathogens were obtained from University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), confirmed, and their zones of inhibition studied at 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 mg/ml of extract combinations. The presence of phenols, tannins and saponins were confirmed in all extracts while alkaloids were present in all ethyl acetate extracts and terpenoids in all aqueous extracts. Different zones of inhibition were measured with the different extract combinations with E. coli having its highest zone of inhibition with the combination of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Ocimum gratissimum in 30 mg/ml (27.25 ± 1.70 mm). However, the highest zone of inhibition observed in the study was with S. aureus in 10 mg/ml concentration of ethyl acetate plant extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Ficus exasperata (31.75 ± 3.07 mm). The Gram positive cell wall of S. aureus is less complex and therefore, more susceptible to bio-agents. Antibacterial activities of these extracts are attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites that make them good bio-agents for production of antibacterial drugs.
Keywords: Plant extracts, Inhibition zones, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus
Habitats of antlions larvae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Cameroon
Authors: Bakoidi A. , Ismaila D. , Maogé J. , Ngamo-Tinkeu L.S. 
Published: June 2020

Antlions (Insecta: Neuroptera) are flying insect associated with sunny weather at adult stage. During larval stage, xerophilous insects they are familiar to arid soils with critical temperature, hygrometry and luminosity. These 3 climatic parameters are used to discriminate among larval habitats of antlions in the Soudano Guinean and Soudano Sahelian Savannah of Cameroon. Investigations made during 3 years from 2015 to 2018,consisted in survey of larvae’s funnels. At the level of each active pit-traps, the 3 parameters were recorded during the whole dry season. Analysis of data computerised pointed out that larvae of Cueta bourborni Navas 1935, and those of Cueta sp, are frequent within sites that are warm (40.57±0.64°C to 52.14±4.08°C); dry (10.91±0.82-16.81±2.74%rh) and lighted (94380.2 ±16109.4 lux) habitats. On the other hand, larvae of Myrmeleonquinquemaculatus Hagen 1853 are associated with sites that are: humid (75.46±4.50% RH), cloudy (448.232±300. 491 lux) with tendency to moist (22.11±0.88°C to 28.10 ±2.14°C). Presence of C. bourbonni sometimes in the moisty Soudano Guinean zone could only indicate episode of warming.
Keywords. Antlions habitats, global warming, temperature, luminosity, Hygrometry
Inhibition of Pipeline Steel Corrosion in 0.5 M H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> Using Cotyledon of <i>Chrysophyllum Albidum</i>
Authors: Othaki E.P. , Ngobiri N.C. 
Published: June 2020

The corrosion inhibition characteristics of Chrysophyllum albidum cotyledon extract was studied as a green and sustainable corrosion inhibitors for pipeline steel in acidic environment attemperatures, 303,313 and 323K using gravimetric technique.The results obtained showed that the inhibition efficiency increased with increase in extract concentration but decrease with increase in temperature. The extract attained an inhibition efficiency of 94 % with 5 g/L at 303 K and 52.2 % with 1 g/L at 333K. Also increase in concentration of the extract lead to increase in activation energydepicting an exothermic process.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies showed the mode of inhibition as adsorption of phytochemicals from the extract on pipeline steel surface. Langmuir adsorption isotherm best fitted into the adsorption process which is spontaneous and physical.
Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum, Pipeline steel, Inhibition, Adsorption.
Land Hunger in Omo Forest Reserve, Area J4, Ogun State Prospects: Of Creating Harmony among Land Users
Authors: Salako B.A. , Adesope A.A.A. , Agbeja B.O. 
Published: June 2020

The study verified the extent of land hunger in Omo Forest Reserve, area J4, Ogun State, with a view to creating harmony among land users. Five villages/communities (Osoko, Aberu, Fowowa, Bashiru and Oloji) in Omo Forest Reserve, area J4, Ijebu East, Ogun State were selected for the study due to the level of their involvement in farming activities. Data was obtained using two set of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression at α = 0.05. A high level of land hunger was proven and its main causes (population increase and area of forest reservation) were identified. Good governance in the affairs of the reserve, followed by the empowerment of the people to have a say in the management of the forest reserve and a holistic land use policy, with odd ratios of 3.85, 2.73 and 2.37, respectively would highly influence the reduction of conflict between farmers and foresters in Omo Forest Reserve (J4).
Keywords: conflict, harmonisation, land hunger, forest reservation and land use.
Physicochemical and Heavy Metals Characteristics of Soil from Three Major Dumpsites in Ilorin Metrpolis, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Shehu-Alimi E. , Esosa I. , Ganiyu B.A. , Olanrewaju S. , Daniel O. 
Published: June 2020

Impact of waste disposal and management is a worldwide phenomenon leading to health impact most especially in underdeveloped and developing world. This study was undertaken to assess the major contaminants in some municipal waste disposal sites and the prospective impact to the surrounding domestic water supply source as well as the impact on the health of the people in the city. This is carried out by studying variousphysico-chemical parameters of soil which were collected from three municipal dump locations namely; Ita-Amodu, Sawmill garage and Kuntu areas in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State Nigeria. The geochemistry of the dumpsites were studied with respect to important parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, sulphates, chlorides, nitrates, moisture content, organic matter and heavy metals having the following constituents present in its composition- Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu). The study revealed that the three different soils samples: “(A) Ita-Amodu”, “(B) Sawmill Garage”, and “(C) Kuntu”) have pH of 7.1, 7.2 and 6.8, respectively. Temperature of 24.2, 26.4, and 28.0 oC, Organic matter compositions of 0.95%, 0.73%, and 1.14%. The Moisture contents were 3.93%, 2.89%, and 3.48% respectively. The chloride contents of the samples was found to be 31.76 mg/L, 48.98 mg/L, and 91.63 mg/L, while nitrates were found to be 0.10 mg/L, 0.06, mg/L and 0.23mg/L, with a sulphate values of 1.96 mg/L, 2.35 mg/L, and 2.14 mg/L. The conductivities were 1.79 μs/cm, 2.23 μs/cm, and 1.15 μs/cm respectively. Heavy metal analysis from the waste soil were found to contained copper (Cu) - 0.03 mg/L, 0.028 mg/L, and 0.031 mg/L, zinc (Zn) - 0.04, mg/L 0.009 mg/L, and 0.066 mg/L), cadmium (Cd) - 0.516 mg/L, 0.62, mg/L and 0.048 mg/L), Lead (Pb) - 0.063 mg/L, 0.07 mg/L, and 0.056 mg/L), and iron (Fe) -0.518 mg/L, 0.62 mg/L, and 0.190 mg/L.
Keywords: Dumpsites, Heavy metals, Ilorin, Moisture contents, Nitrates.
<I>Giardia duodenalis</I> infection in dogs affected by primary chronic enteropathy
Authors: Perrucci Stefania , Berrilli Federica , Procopio Cristina , Di Filippo Margherita Montalbano , Pierini Alessio , Marchetti Veronica 
Published: June 2020

Background: Canine primary chronic enteropathy (CE) includes a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by chronic gastrointestinal signs.Aim: This study evaluated the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis infection in primary CE-affected dogs.Methods: Forty-seven CE-affected dogs of different age and sex were enrolled in the study. For each dog, frequency of defecation, fecal consistency, and eventual fecal abnormalities were evaluated. A clinical scoring index of CE severity (clinical chronic enteropathy activity index) was also assessed, and the type of enteropathy was retrospectively classified. For parasitological analysis, fresh fecal samples collected from each dog were examined by fresh and Lugol stained smears, flotation test, and a rapid immunoassay. Giardia duodenalis genotypes were identified by molecularanalysis. Differences of clinical parameters between G. duodenalis positive and G. duodenalis negative dogs were statistically evaluated.Results: Among the CE canine patients, 16 out of 47 (34%) dogs were found positive for G. duodenalis and assemblages C and D were identified. No statistical differences emerged according to the types of CE between G. duodenalispositive and G. duodenalis-negative dog groups. The clinical index of CE severity was indicative of significant less severe clinical forms in G. duodenalis-positive dogs (p = 0.037).Conclusion: Results here obtained shows how G. duodenalis may be present in primary CE-affected dogs and further investigations are needed to clarify the real significance of mild clinical presentation in G. duodenalis-positive dogs affected by CE.
Keywords: Canine, Clinical forms, Genotypes, Giardiasis, Primary chronic enteropathy.
Protective effect of ginkgolide B against isoproterenolinduced chronic heart failure in rats via modulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 signaling pathways
Authors: Zhi Lu Hui , Ru Wang Bin , Yun Tan , Hui Dong , Li Liu 
Published: June 2020

Purpose: To determine the protective effect of ginkgolide B (GB) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced chronic heart failure in a rat model.
Methods: A total of 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Rats in control group received only saline, while rats in GB alone group were injected with GB at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight (bwt) intraperitoneally (i.p). Another group of rats was injected with ISO subcutaneously (s.c.) at a dose of 85 mg/kg for 2 days (ISO group). Rats in the GB+ISO group were administered GB at a dose of 20 mg/kg, i.p., for 7 days prior to exposure to ISO s.c. at a dose of 85 mg/kg.
Results: Rats pre-treated with GB for 7 days prior to ISO exposure showed a significant decrease in cardiac infarct size, and marked decreases in the levels of cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers, and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05), but significant improvement in the levels ofendogenous antioxidants (p < 0.05). In addition, GB administration resulted in marked increases in the protein expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Nrf2 in cardiac tissue (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These results indicate that pre-treatment of chronic heart failure rats with GB for 7 consecutive days considerably lowered inflammatory and apoptotic markers via upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Thus, GB has cardioprotective potential in humans.
Keywords: Ginkgolide B, Nrf2/HO-1, Inflammatory markers, Apoptotic markers, Antioxidants