bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical Screening and Toxicity Study of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of <i>Prosopis africana<i> (African Mesquite) In Albino Wistar Rat
Authors: Abubakar Bilyaminu , Yahaya Zainab , Alhaji Sulaiman Abdullahi , Giaze Rabiu Tijjani , Aminu Nafiu 
Published: August 2023

Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) is a perennial leguminous tree of the subfamily Mimosaidae and is found to grow in the savanna region of Senegal and Nigeria. Several parts of the plant has been documented to possess ethno medicinal value. The study aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents using methods described by Trease & Evans and toxicity profile (using established toxicity determination protocols) of methanol stem bark extract of Prosopis africana in albino Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 of the extract was 3807.88 mg/kg, with only the animal administered with 5000 mg/kg of the extract dying in phase two. The extract did not affect food and water consumption or most hematological parameters, except for red and white blood cell counts. Histological examination of liver, kidney, and heart did not show any signs of malformation. These findings suggest that the methanol stem bark extract of Prosopis africana may be safe for use in traditional medicine and could provide a basis for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria fever, wound care and diabetes mellitus.
Assessment of Aircraft Carbon Emission in Nigerian Airspace towards Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Buba Luka Fitto , Akinsanya Shakir Akintola , Mohammed Mansur Abdul 
Published: August 2023

Global effects of climate change due to greenhouse gas emission are increasing this need to be given more attention. Also further improvements required for the global long-term demand of air transportation and reduction the net greenhouse gas emissions as a contributor to climate change mitigation. This study aimed at examining the carbon emission from domestic air traffic operations in Nigerian with view to mitigating climate change impact from aviation sector. in line with International Civil Aviation Organization resolution A38-18 of 2013 targeting annual emission reduction by at least 2% from 2021 to 2050. Carbon Emission Calculation Methodology was adapted in assessing total carbon dioxide emission by some Nigerian domestic airline in 2019. Cluster and purposive sampling methods were used in selecting the aircrafts. Results indicate B737 as the most commonly used aircraft in domestic routes with 44.9% fleet in the period. 71.5% of routes had fuel consumption to Carbon dioxide emission ratio of 1:3. Azman air had the highest percentage (83%) of the commonest aircraft type (B737s). Again it had 5,984 domestic trips on a cumulative distance of 3,521,218 kilometers with total carbon dioxide emission of 55,729,531 kgCO2. Pearson correlation analysis indicated positive relationship between great circle distance, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission on each route and collectively with a high level of significance (r = 0.798, P = 0.001). Sustainable improvement of airspace infrastructures to reduce flying time and carbon dioxide emission. Environmental economics market based measures should be applied to aviation operations to ensure environmental sustainability
Vinegar Production using <i>Acetobacter aceti</i> Isolated from Over-ripped Bananas
Authors: Chukwuegbo I.A. , Gumel A.M. , Shiaka P.G. 
Published: August 2023

The demand for food and food preservatives rises with population growth, and post-harvest fruit losses are widespread in emerging nations, particularly in Nigeria. In order to avoid the usage of chemically produced preservatives, it is essential in today's society to convert waste into vinegar, which can be utilized as an organically created preservative. In essence, vinegar production is a two-phase fermentation process that includes fermentation to alcohol and acetic acid, respectively. In this study, Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was introduced into banana worts with a view to fermenting into alcohol (Ethanol) for 7 days, after which acetic acid bacterium (Acetobacter aceti) isolated from over-ripped bananas was inoculated into the produced alcohol to form vinegar. Analyses carried out on the produced vinegar were done using acetic acid and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) assays, which gave 1.4 – 4% and stretching vibrations at 1283 cm-1, 1640 cm-1, and 3260 cm-1, respectively. The findings in this study have shown that over-ripe bananas, which were previously thought of as waste, can be transformed into very valuable commodities, consequently enhancing human health and facilitating environmental safety. Results showed that over-ripe banana wort is a good raw material appropriate for fermentation- based ethanol production and vinegar manufacturing using ethanol.
Application of Different Electrode Array in Delineating Cassiterite Bearing Layer for A Two-Dimensional Tomography Survey Within Pingel Village of Bauchi State
Authors: Osumeje Joseph Orojah , Eshimiakhe Daniel , Ojo Olufemi Felix 
Published: August 2023

Electrical resistivity method consist of various arrays that had been successfully applied in mineral explorations. Three important electrode arrays in 2D imaging surveys were tested in this study by creating a tomography of the subsurface to determine which array is the most successful in defining the cassiterite bearing layer. These arrays are Wenner, Schlumberger and Dipole - dipole. The numerical modeling was created through vertical fracture zone and correlated with a representative lithology of the area produced by using tape to measure depths to different lithology at an exposed mining pit. The results showed that the Schlumberger is the most suitable electrode array that can resolve both vertical and horizontal structures present in the subsurface. It was also obvious that the Schlumberger is a better array that images the vertical and horizontal contacts and represented these geological structures more accurately than the Wenner and Dipole-dipole arrays.
Assessment of Relationship between Physiological Traits, Groundnut Yield and Yield Components of Groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogeal L.</i>) Germplasm
Authors: Yunusa A.Y. , Aminu M.A. , Hayatu M. , Sale F.W. , Namadina M.M. , Sanusi H. , Tasiu S. , Umar H.Y. , Hotoro A.S. , Yola A.I. , Umar A.B. , Dankaka A.H. , Abubakar U.A. , Biliyaminu A. 
Published: August 2023

Physiological traits contributing to high yield in groundnut might reveal the underlying mechanism from which improved strategies could be developed to enhance the effectiveness and progress in breeding for yield component of groundnut. The study aim to determine some physiological characters such as chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) related to groundnut yield. Twenty-five (25) groundnut accessions were evaluated in randomized block design (RBD) with two replications at ICRISAT research farm, Wasai, Minibir, Kano State, Nigeria. The study was carried out during the 2014 rainy season to evaluate physiological relationship to yield variations in groundnut accessions from different parts of Nigeria and Mali. The observations on Chlorophyll Content, Canopy Temperature, leaf area Index (LAI), Photosynthetic Active Radiation, Pod length, Pod width, pod yield, shelling percentage, hundred seed weight and fodder yield characters were recorded. The physiological and yield data were subjected to analysis of variance General Linear Model (GLM) using SAS verse 9.3 means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at P>0.05 The accessions were significantly different (1.207) for all the physiological traits and yield traits except for pod length, pod width and hundred seed weight where no significant difference was recorded. The highest dry pod and fodder yield was recorded from the accessions 25, 23 and 22 due to significant favorable yield contributing characters like: chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Photosynthetic Active Radiation, pod length, pod width, pod yield, shelling percentage, hundred seed weight (g), and fodder weight (g). With regard to physiological traits and yield and yield related traits, accessions 25, 23, and 22 were considered as promising genotypes for future breeding programme for pod and fodder yield improvement.
Effects of Phosphorus and Zinc on Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) of Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp) Varieties Grown in Bauchi, Nigeria
Authors: Kiri Idris Z. , Sawa F.B.J. , Abdul S.D. , Gani A.M. 
Published: August 2023

Plant growth analysis is today studied as it relates to change in capture and efficiency in the use of resources rather than as it relates to relative growth rate in the past. Net assimilation rate (NAR) is the rate of increase in dry matter over unit area of leaf, which represented a measurement of excess of photosynthesis overrespiratory losses of dry matter. Two field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, North Eastern, Nigeria, between 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (0, 25, 50 kg P/ha) and zinc levels (0, 2.5, 5 kg Zn/ha) on NAR of six cowpea varieties namely: IT90K 277, IT93 455 1, IT89KD 288, IT97K 568 18, IT90K 82 2 and Kanannado. Results obtained showed that NAR was not significantly influenced by P and Zn levels and therefore, 0 kg ha1 SSP and Zn rate produced the highest NAR than higher levels. Neither applications of each of P and Zn at higher levels or their interactions, nor did year or variety were found to have significant effects on NAR; but rather NAR is being determined by number of factors such as nutrient supply, photosynthesis rate, etc and these are never fixed or constant and hence a particular factor e.g., nutrient (P or Zn) cannot dictate NAR alone.
Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake and Assimilation Processes in Some Plants: A Review
Authors: Kiri Idris Z. 
Published: August 2023

Nutrient demands of plants are fulfilled via nutrient uptake by the roots, even though minor quantities of certain nutrients might be assimilated via leaves. For the reason that the majority of nutrients are assimilated by roots, an understanding of root morphology and cell structure is crucial in knowing this basic plant process. Nutrient achievement by plants hinges on ion applications on superficial, root assimilation capacity, and plant requirement. Movement of ion in plant cells is classified into active and passive. Ion concentrations in the cytoplasm of plant cells are frequently and considerably observed to be greater than in soil solutions. Consequently, roots ought to be able to take up ions in contrast to broadly diverse concentration gradients. Currently, two major theories of ion transport across membranes are reported in literature: carrier theory where carrier agents accountable for transferring ions from one side of membrane to the other; encounter specific ions for which they have attraction, form carrier ion complexes; and move across membranes and connecting ATPase theory of ion transport; which is related with the plasmalemma and is activated by cations; the ion pump theory, which is a demanding proces, transporting via electrochemical gradient. Measurements of ion uptake could be achieved through tracer techniques. Long-distance transport of ions to shoots happens in the vascular system, with water being the transporting agent. New and stimulating developments in mineral uptake mechanism of plants have momentously added to our understanding of the function of nutrients uptake in plants. Most research comparative to physiology of nutrient uptake has been conducted under controlled environment by means of particular nutrient cultures in the growth medium.
Inhibitory Effects of Stem Bark Extract of <i>Chrysophyllum albidum</i> (G. Don) against Selected Gastrointestinal Tract Pathogens
Authors: Odewade J.O. , Mukhtar M.D. , Ibrahim Y. 
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of stem bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidum against selected gastrointestinal tract pathogens. Powdered stem bark was cold extracted using methanol and sterile distilled water in ratio 3:2 (v/v). The mixture obtained was concentrated in vacuo using a rotary evaporator and lyophilized. The stem bark extract was screened for antibacterial, phytochemicals and antioxidant properties using standard method. The antibacterial activities were determined using agar well diffusion method while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using agar dilution method. Results obtained indicate that the zones of inhibition shown by the stem bark extract at 10 mg/mL against the bacterial isolates ranged between 10±0.82 mm and 25±0.00 mm. The MICs ranged between 0.31 mg/mL and 5mg/mL while the lowest MIC was 0.31 mg/mL. The MBCs ranged between 0.63 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL while we recorded 0.63 mg/mL as the lowest MBC. The phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. The antioxidant analysis of stem bark extract showed appreciable antioxidant properties when compared with vitamin C used as control. The stem bark extract exhibited percentage inhibition of 62.80% at a concentration of 15.63 µg/mL while vitamin C exhibited percentage inhibition of 63.53% at the same concentration. This study showed that stem bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidum possessed bioactive compounds that exhibited appreciable antibacterial and antioxidant activities against the gastrointestinal tract pathogens.
Confirmation Of African Swine Fever Virus in Some Pigs from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Adenaike E.A. , Tekdek L.B , Kazeem H.M. , Simon A.Y. 
Published: August 2023

Studies were undertaken to investigate and isolate African Swine Fever virus in pig in Ado local government area (LGA) of Benue state of Nigeria and this has confirmed the carrier status of the pigs in the LGA. Out of the 188 serum samples collected, 7 were obtained from the LGA and were tested using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Three samples (42.86%) were positive and 4(57.14%) were negative for the test. All the serum samples (42.86%) that were positive by ELISA were also positive by polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR). The PCR-positive pigs had higher mean WBC count, lower eosinophil and basophils count, higher mean monocytes count but the mean PCV values were not significantly different from the normal and PCR negative pigs. High mean WBC count may indicate an ongoing secondary bacterial and ASF virus infection, lower eosinophil and basophils count indicates parasitism in the pigs, higher mean monocytes count. This confirmed that pigs with demonstrable antibody should be considered as chronic carriers of the virus because it is doubtful if true recovery ever occurs. Control measures such as use of biosecurity, test and slaughter of animals that test positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) antibody with adequate compensation are suggested to eradicate the disease.
Long Memory and Volatility Models in Forecasting Exchange Rate of Nigerian Naira to United State Dollar
Authors: Magaji Bashir , Garba Jamilu 
Published: August 2023

Financial time series such as stock prices, inflation rates, interest rates, and exchange rates are known to exhibit upward and downward trend and often possesses long memory and volatility behavior. These behaviors are crucial in the analysis, modeling and forecasting of time series data. Unfortunately, many analysts don’t take into consideration the consequences of long memory and volatility while modeling financial time series data. Therefore, this paper intends to examine the effect of long memory and volatility in forecasting Exchange Rate of Nigerian Naira-United State Dollar. The data used for this study is obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria’s website for the period of January 2002 to Feb 2020. Observations from time series and Autocorrelation function (ACF) plot shows that the data was not stationary. This was confirmed by the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) unit root tests on the datasets. Fractional differencing was used to transform the series and ARFIMA(1,d,1) and ARFIMA(1,d,2) models were selected using AIC criterion. However, the residuals of these models were found to be serially correlated and heteroscedastic. These problems led to combining ARFIMA with GARCH model in order to adequately study long memory and volatility simultaneously. Therefore ARFIMA models were combined with GARCH(1,1) to form ARFIMA(1,d,1)-GARCH(1,1) and ARFIMA(1,d,2)- GARCH(1,1). The results of the forecast performance indicate that the best model is ARFIMA(1,d,2)– GARCH(1,1).
Assessment Of Illuminance and Related Health Effects in Some Departments Within a University Environment
Authors: Osemudiamen Edene Anao , Stanley Edene Osemhen 
Published: August 2023

Workplace safety is dependent on numerous factors within the work environment and light intensity (illuminance) is vital in ensuring this, as inadequate lighting is not unrelated to varying deleterious health effects. This study was undertaken to measure the level of illuminance in laboratories and offices of a selected Faculty in the University, in order to ascertain if the lighting conditions in the work environment are in compliance with illumination standards (500 lux), set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and to identify the potential hazards that may arise from exposure to lighting conditions that are not in compliance with set standards. A digital lux meter was used to measure light intensity in the different locations. The results obtained revealed that the mean illuminance levels of most of the measured offices and laboratories were below 500 lux. The maximum illuminance level recorded in the assessed offices was 478.6 lux in the Department of Statistics and a minimum of 288.1 lux in the Department of Computer Science. Maximum Illuminance level from the assessed laboratories was 408 lux from the Department of Geology and a minimum of 164 lux. The health effects associated with such poor illuminance levels includes: eyestrain, blurred vision, eye pain, eye fatigue and in general eye discomfort. Poor illuminance may also be linked to the prevalence of headaches. This will subsequently result in poor students and teachers performance, and reduce productivity. In order to improve the lighting situation of the faculty, a suitable day lighting plan should be incorporated into the architecture of buildings in general and workspaces in particular.
Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Contamination in Vegetables Sold at Bichi Local Government Area, Kano State – Nigeria
Authors: Abubakar Abubakar A. , Sadiq Umar A. , Hassan Sadi A. 
Published: August 2023

Vegetables are the source of essential nutrients for health maintenance and treatment of various diseases. However, they are a major source of heavy metals contamination. This study evaluates the levels of heavy metals in selected vegetables sold in Bichi and their potential health risks. The collected samples were ashed using concentrated HNO3 and analyzed using AAS. The concentrations of the heavy metals detected were in the range of 0.18 to 0.04; 1.64 to 0.63; 0.01; 3.44 to 0.67, and 0.17 to 0.06 mg/kg, for Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, and Zn respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals were below WHO/FAO recommended levels except Pb, which is above the tolerable limit. The highest concentration of Pb (3.44 mg/kg) where detected in pepper, and the least in carrots (0.67 mg/kg). The Estimated Daily Intake values of individual heavy metals from the consumption of vegetables were 1.08 × 10−3, 1.66 × 10−2, 1.42 × 10−, 3.52 × 10−2, and 1.36×10−3mg/kg body weight/day for Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, and Zn respectively which were less than the Maximum tolerable daily intake. The Hazard Index of all vegetables is 6.83 × 10−2 which is less than 1, indicating that, the consumption of these vegetables may result in non- carcinogenic health risks. The Target Cancer Risks value of Pb was 2.99 × 10−7, which is less than the standard risk limit (10−6). This shows that, despite the high concentration of Pb in the samples, the calculated parameters have clearly indicated that, there are no carcinogenic health risks to consumers.
Assessment of the Antibacterial Potential of Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Omonmhenle Selina Ilunakan , Ifijen Ikhazuagbe Hilary 
Published: August 2023

Microbes play a crucial role in our lives, and certain pathogenic bacteria are responsible for a wide range of infectious illnesses, food safety, and environmental damage. Layered double hydroxide (LDH), a type of natural two-dimensional substance with a distinctive layered structure also known as anionic clays, has been established as a material that may be utilized to battle a variety of bacterial infections. The interesting properties of LDH include their ease of synthesis, unique structure, uniform distribution of different metal cations in the brucite layer, surface hydroxyl groups, flexible tunability, intercalated anions with interlayer spaces, swelling properties, oxo-bridged linkage, and high chemical and thermal stability, ability to intercalate different types of anions (inorganic, organic, biomolecules, and even genes), delivery of intercalated anions. In the field of biomaterials, LDH has gained prominence as a significant class of layered materials with promising applications. Here, emphasis has been placed on factors such as biocompatibility, anion exchange with the target ion, holding of guest species in the interlayer space, and controlled anion release in a given medium. By utilizing LDH's inherent biocompatibility, several studies have improved its antibacterial characteristics, enabling researchers to add active substances into its matrix for the treatment of bacterial-caused disease. Despite the fact that LDH's antibacterial capabilities have been the subject of several studies, there are currently very few reviews of such findings. Therefore, this study reviewed current developments in new LDH techniques to enhance their antimicrobial activity and provided background on their structures.