Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science (Journal)
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Biological diversity and similarity indices of fish species in Erinle River, Osun State, Nigeria
Full text linkThis study assessed the fish species composition, abundance, and biodiversity indices of two major reservoirs in Osun State, Nigeria, namely, Owalla Reservoir (OWR) and Erinle Reservoir (ERR). A total of 1,248 individual fish, comprising 25 species from 10 families, were identified across both reservoirs. OWR exhibited significantly higher fish abundance (82.9%) compared to ERR (17.1%). Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon zilli were the dominant species in OWR and ERR, respectively. Despite differences in abundance, both reservoirs recorded similar species richness (15 species each). Cichlids were the most prevalent group, representing over half of the species in both reservoirs. Biodiversity indices revealed that ERR had a higher Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H = 2.209), suggesting greater species diversity and ecological stability compared to OWR (H = 1.8), which had a lower Simpson's index value (0.0), indicative of lower pollution levels. The evenness index was also higher in OWR (0.7), implying a relatively balanced species distribution. Similarity indices (Sørensen's and Jaccard's) indicated limited community overlap between the two reservoirs, with only four species common to both. Various ecological and anthropogenic factors, including reservoir location, upstream-downstream dynamics, and local fishing activities, influence the observed patterns of diversity. The findings underscore the ecological importance of these reservoirs while also highlighting potential areas of environmental stress and biodiversity loss
Antifungal effect of Euphorbia prostrata ethyl acetate extract on Microsporum audounii-induced skin dysfunction diseases in male rats
Full text linkThe search for medicinal plants as viable substitutes for antifungal drug development is crucial due to the increasing threat of multiple drug resistance in global health. However, some of these medicinal plants have become prominent candidates due to reported biological functions such as antimicrobial properties, especially when it comes to treating drug-resistant skin infections with no or little side effects. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the topical application of ethyl acetate fraction of Euphorbia prostrata leaf extract on haematological parameters of rats infected with fungi. Cold maceration was employed to extract Euphorbia prostrata leaves, followed by vacuum liquid chromatography to fractionate the extract into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and methanol fractions. Phytochemicals and antioxidants assays determined the most active fraction, while antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) gauged its efficacy. Cream formulations ranging from 0.05% to 0.4% of ethyl acetate fraction were developed as antifungal agents and tested on rat model. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction's dominance in flavonoid and phenolic content, alongside potent antioxidant activity. Treatment with both standard medication and the plant extract significantly elevated haemoglobin concentrations, with the 0.2% plant extract exhibiting the most pronounced effect. Monocyte counts increased notably in rats treated with varying concentrations of the plant extract, particularly in the 0.2% group. Eosinophil proportions were highest in rats treated with 0.4% ethyl acetate fraction cream, highlighting its efficacy against fungal infections. Overall, the study suggests the potential of Euphorbia prostrata extract in modulating erythropoiesis, immune function, and coagulation, thereby offering a promising avenue for addressing fungal infections and associated haematological disturbances
Mathematical modelling and virtual design of metamaterials for reducing noise and vibration in built-up structures
Full text linkNoise and vibration pose significant challenges in built-up structures, affecting structural integrity and occupant comfort. Traditional materials often fail to address these issues effectively across all relevant frequencies, particularly in urban and industrial environments. This paper presents a mathematical modeling approach and virtual design framework for developing metamaterials specifically tailored to mitigate noise and vibration in built-up structures. By leveraging finite element analysis, dynamic energy analysis, and optimization algorithms, the study demonstrates how metamaterials can create frequency-specific barriers. Comparative analyses with previous studies, performance metrics, and sensitivity evaluations reveal the robustness and unique contributions of this approach. Validation through simulations and benchmarking confirms the model’s effectiveness, enhancing structural resilience and human comfort in complex environments. Additionally, this study surveys natural metamaterials and the urban environment. The major findings highlight the effectiveness of natural metamaterials (NMs) in ground vibration attenuation, offering diverse applications and proposing a roadmap for developing natural materials for clean and quiet environments
The Imperative of Systems Thinking Approach in Driving Food Systems Transformation through Science and Innovation
Full text linkAs the world became progressively aware that increasing production did not solve global hunger and health problems, the issue of the environmental and social costs of focusing solely on food security and nutrition came to the fore. The term ‘food systems transformation’ was introduced as a radical idea of rethinking the key outcomes of food systems. A complete rethink of the attributes of food systems, including its purpose, rules, and power structures. Food system transformation processes would ideally reshape the way a food system is organized for the desired outcomes: food security, healthy diets, economic wellbeing, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability.Most of the social, economic, moral, and environmental challenges are interconnected and interact with each. Fully understanding the causes and solutions to these challenges is not possible when handled in isolation. Food systems are complex adaptive systems consisting of several actors, linkages, dynamics, etc. These complexity means food systems exhibit unpredictable behaviour, with nonlinear change, tipping points, and unintended responses to shocks and interventions. Systems thinking is a high-level approach to thinking, acting and practice necessary to effect transformational change in any domain.For food systems transformation to be inclusive, science and technology-based innovations must be accompanied by institutional innovations (social, business and policy innovations), underpinned by science (basic sciences and applied sciences, natural sciences and social sciences). Also, innovations need to be aligned with sustainability concerns. All these certainly requires attention and joint engagement by researchers from all areas of the food system-related discipline
Potentials of hydrogen economy in energy transition towards 2050 net zero emission agenda: Opportunities for Nigeria
Full text linkThe existing energy ecosystem that sustains economic activity around the world is heavily dependent on coal, oil, and natural gas. In fact, all fossil fuels combined accounted for over 84 per cent of total global energy use in 2019. Reducing the carbon footprint of energy is a driving force in energy transitions. Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can transform the fossil-fuel dependent economy into a hydrogen economy, which can provide an emissions-free fuel. Among the key uses of hydrogen is that it can increase renewable electricity market growth potentials substantially and broaden the reach of renewable solutions. However, changing global energy dynamics mean that resource-holders cannot assume that their oil resources will translate into reliable future revenues. Accelerated energy transitions would result in lower demand and prices for hydrocarbons can cut sharply into future revenues. This provides the need for countries such as Nigeria to tap from the economic opportunities in hydrogen economy in the face of dwindling oil revenue. Energy transitions are opening up new opportunities for a different set of strategic resources. Nigeria is a home to many of the mineral resources that are critical in driving global energy transitions. The rising demand for the minerals that can support global energy transitions offers an opportunity for minerals-rich country like Nigeria. The country’s energy future is not doomed: many pathways are possible, but effective policy choices can guide the country to a more inclusive and sustainable energy future and accelerate its economic and industrial development
Strategies for sustainable development of the power sectors of Sub-Saharan African Nations
Full text linkThe achievement of sustainable development goals by the Sub-Saharan Africa region depends on access to modern and efficient renewable energy technologies. The Sub-Saharan Africa Nations have been unsuccessful in fully utilizing renewable energy resources for sustainable development of the power sector. Also, developing countries in this region are susceptible to the negative health and environmental effects of fossil fuels. The goal of all countries is sustainable development of the power sector using renewable energy sources with zero greenhouse gas emissions. Though, there are a lot of problems that arise in efficient utilization of renewable energy sources in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper studies challenges that hamper the power sector and identifies strategies for sustainable development of the power sectors in Sub-Saharan African countries. Achieving net-zero emissions is a critical cross-sector climate-action goal, yet a complex undertaking with many significant but surmountable obstacles by switching to clean energy sources, changing the way you travel, and reducing your consumption by recycling and reusing everything. In conclusion, the paper recommends the adoption of the 2050 Net Zero Agenda, local production of power plant components in Africa and the consideration of natural gas as a key transitional fuel due to its lower carbon footprint compared to other fossil fuels
Seasonal and environmental impacts of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in some selected pre-primary and primary school playground soils, Bwari Area Council, Abuja
Full text linkPublic health importance of STH infections ranks the highest in morbidity rate among school aged children who often present with heavy infections. This study was conducted in Bwari Area Council, Abuja FCT to determine the seasonal and environmental impacts of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in selected pre-primary and primary schools. A cross-sectional study design was carried out. Twenty schools were randomly selected from ten wards comprising of 10 each of private and public owned pre/primary schools. Fifty (50) grams of soil were collected from the randomly selected playgrounds, transported to the helminthology laboratory of Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where floatation, direct smear and sedimentation techniques were used to recover helminth eggs. Overall, 6607 eggs were obtained from 400 soil samples collected out of which 4836 (62.5%) eggs were collected from both pre-primary and primary school's playground; Taeniids 1480(30.6%), Toxocara 883(18.2%), Hookworm 1260(26.1%), Trichuris 1130(23.4%), Strongyle 80(1.7%) and Schistosome haematobium eggs 3(0.1%) respectively beside which mite and coccidian eggs were also observed. The total number of geo-helminth eggs observed during the dry season was 1244(100%) while 3592(100%) helminth eggs were observed during the rainy season. There was a significant association between the occurrence of geo-helminth egg and season (χ2 = 203.1, P = 0.0001). There was no Significant association between the environmental factors and the pupils that had helminthic infection, (χ2 = 2.462, P = 0.296). School children should be encouraged not to play with contaminated soil and if they do should wash their hands immediatel
Metals contamination of Aquifer in Warri and Port- Harcourt (Niger – Delta Region)
Full text linkHeavy metal concentrations of hand-dug wells from twelve (12) locations within Warri and Port Harcourt metropolis of (Niger - Delta region) were studied. Twenty – four (24) hand-dug well water samples were analysed. The physicochemical parameters of the water samples were analyzed using Standard methods within 24 hours. The metal cations were also determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) method, hardness, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations were determined using titrimetric method, sulphate was determined by spectrophotometer method. Most physicochemical parameters were found to be within the WHO acceptable limits for drinking water in all sample locations. Rumagbo and Udu has the highest (108.5 and 288.55 mg/L) while Elewere and Enware lowest (36.08 and 36.05 mg/L) concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3-) respectively, the highest concentration of sulphate (SO42-) was recorded in Waterline and Efurun (72.00 and 82.75 mg/L). chloride (Cl-) (96.75 and 107.25 mg/L) for Mgbuoba and NPA meanwhile nitate (NO3-) (0.05 and 0.06 mg/L) have their highest concentrations observed at Eligbolo and NPA respectively. Eligbolo, and Udu have the highest concentration of manganese (Mn). Meanwhile arsenic (As) concentration was found to be highest in Rumuola and Udu (0.75 and 0.77mg/L) with the lowest concentration found in Elewere and Enware (0.38 and 0.46mg/L) respectively. In all, the concentrations of metals from the water samples observed were above the WHO limits of heavy water concentrations in drinking water. The results from this study show that there is high level of contamination of the aquifer (groundwater) in the studied areas. The long-term effect of continuous consumption of this groundwater can be of pose a threat to the health of the people
Metabolic and hematological disruptions induced by Diphenyl Diselenide in male wistar rats
Full text linkDiphenyldiselenide (DPDS), a potent antioxidant and enzyme inhibitor, exerts cellular toxicity mainly through interaction with thiol group of proteins. This study evaluates its toxicity on glycolysis and gluconeogenesis as well as on some hematological parameters in male Wistar rats. Animals were grouped into five with Groups I and II animals intrapenitoneally dosed with 1ml/kg body weight distilled water and olive oil serving as controls while Groups III, IV and V animals were treated with DPDS in olive oil once daily for 21 days at the dose of 50-, 100- and 200mg/kg body weight respectively. All rats were sacrificed on day 21, and plasma, livers and thigh muscles harvested for biochemical assays. Treatment with 200mg DPDS/kg body weight resulted to 100% mortality while 50- and 100mg/kg body weight caused significant reduction (p0.05) in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration and packed-cell volume. The activities of thigh muscle key glycolytic enzymes along with plasma lactate and liver key gluconeogenic enzymes along with alanine- and aspartate aminotransferases and glycogen were significantly increased (p0.05) suggesting increased glycolysis and gluconeogenesis respectively in these organs. The increased glycolysis observed may be a consequence of decreased oxygen transport to the peripheral tissue due to reduced hemoglobin hence, increased reliance on anaerobic sources for energy generation. The resultant increased gluconeogenesis and hepatic glycogen storage could be a detoxification mechanism whereby excess lactate due to increased glycolysis is converted to a non-toxic and neutral glucose to maintain pH balance in order to preserve the animals against DPDS toxicit
Long term spatial trends in West African monsoon precipitation
Full text linkAcross West Africa, rainfall is a vital weather component. Its importance in agriculture, the economy, and even governance across the region cannot be overstated due to the nature of the socio-economic vulnerabilities within this region. Therefore, the performance of the region’s economy and its governance depend largely on rainfall distribution directly or indirectly. This study aims to analyze rainfall distribution across the West African region using four indices: the mean rainfall distribution per month, days with rainfall exceeding a 1 mm threshold, days with rainfall exceeding a 5 mm threshold, and the maximum amount of rainfall each year. The CPC Global Unified Gauge-Based Analysis of Daily Precipitation with a resolution of From 1979 to 2020 was used in this study. Trend was determined using the non-parametric Sen’s slope and Mann-Kendall tests. The number of days with rainfall greater than 1 mm and 5 mm showed positive trends between 0 and 0.4 mm/month during the considered months, although the trends were not statistically significant. Locations off the coast of Sierra Leone and Liberia, as well as on the continent of Nigeria, showed statistically significant negative trends. Considering the number of days with heavy rainfall from April to July, we observed a reduced trend in values compared to days with normal precipitation. This implies that although normal rainfall will increase, it will not be as much as heavy rainfall