Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science (Journal)
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Exposure to Fluoxetine induced Gonado-toxicity in female rats: Modulating role of Hybanthus enneaspermus
Full text linkSeveral scientific evidence supports the use of Hybanthus enneaspermus leaves in the management of female sexual inadequacies. Additionally, fluoxetine is a reproductive toxicant that induces sexual dysfunction. To determine the modulating role of aqueous extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus leaves on fluoxetine-induced gonado-toxicity, sixty healthy, sexually-responsive female rats (157.21 ± 6.89) were divided into six groups (A–F) comprising of 10 rats each. Group A (control group) were administered distilled water only, Group B-F received orally 15 mg/kg body weight (b.w) of fluoxetine prepared daily for 14 days for the induction of anti-oestrogenicity and subsequently received 0.5ml of distilled water, 20 mg/kg b.w of a reference drug (Tadalafil) and 0.5 mL equivalent to 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w of the extract respectively, orally, once daily (08:00-08:45h) for 7 days. Fluoxetine reduced serum oestrogen concentrations by 54.79% and significantly reduced (p0.05) ovarian and uterine total protein, glycogen, cholesterol, the activities of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. The reductions were by (22.91%, 25.57%, 22.82 %, 15.09 % and 43.17 %) in the ovaries and (21.25 %, 26.9%, 7.20%, 16.82% and 29.85%) in the uteri of the animals respectively. In contrast, these reductions were overturned by the extract towards the control group. The extract at 1000 mg/kg b.w ameliorated the reductions of these oestrogenic indices. Hybanthus enneaspermus attenuated the deleterious effects of fluoxetine on the ovaries and uteri, restored sexual competence and promoted oogenesis. These may further lend backing to its widespread use in handling some sterility/infertility problems in women.
Tech-enabled solutions for student hunger: A comprehensive analysis of food surplus, community dynamics, and usability
Full text linkIn this study, we explore the interconnected issues of food wastage, student hunger, and the potential of technology to facilitate food sharing. We begin by examining the general problem of food insecurity on university campuses and its impact on student well-being and academic performance. Through a mixed-methods approach involving 30 participants (13 Males (43%) and 17 Females (57%)), we gather both qualitative and quantitative data to understand attitudes towards surplus food and the challenges of accessing food when needed. Our quantitative findings reveal that while 69.6% of participants are willing to share surplus food, only 39.1% have access to a viable network for food distribution. Qualitative insights further uncover the profound effects of food insecurity on students, who advocate for technological solutions featuring financial tracking, transparent food distribution, and privacy measures to enhance the food-sharing experience. Building on these findings, we conduct a heuristic evaluation of a low-fidelity prototype designed to address the identified challenges. The results underscore the need for a user-friendly interface that aligns with students' preferences, with key areas for refinement highlighted for future development. Following this, we refine the application and evaluate it using the System Usability Scale, which provides valuable insights into user experiences with the FeedLine prototype. While the overall impressions are positive, the feedback also highlights the need for improved onboarding support and clearer communication of the app's capabilities. This research contributes to the development of a technology-driven solution aimed at alleviating food-related challenges among students
Assessment of the impact of locally fabricated oven and sun drying method on the proximate, mineral and microbiological composition of Clarias gariepinus (catfish)
Full text linkDrying is an age long practice which prevent fish from deterioration and spoilage, however, traditional drying is usually practiced in rural settings with poor hygienic conditions, thus, the nutritional and microbial quality of such products is uncertain. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating the impact of a locally fabricated oven and sun drying method on the proximate, mineral and microbial composition of Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) using standard laboratory procedures. The results of the proximate analysis showed that the oven dried fish had the highest crude protein content (66.43 ± 3.37 %), crude lipid content (8.27 ± 0.28 %) and carbohydrate content (4.50 ± 0.22 %) which were statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish, while the sun dried fish had the highest ash content (16.30 ± 2.48 %) and moisture content (14.30 ± 0.82 %) which were statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish. Also, the mineral analysis showed that the oven dried fish had the highest calcium (821.49 ± 1.10 mg/kg), phosphorus (86.04 ± 0.83 mg/kg), potassium (254.72 ± 0.40 mg/kg), iron (40.73 ± 0.23 mg/kg), manganese (0.95 ± 0.01 mg/kg) and selenium (14.15 ± 0.39 mg/kg) content which were statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish, while the sun dried fish had the highest sodium (173.52 ± 0.12 mg/kg), cupper (0.87 ± 0.12 mg/kg), magnesium (39.01 ± 0.43 mg/kg) and zinc (2.83 ± 0.23 mg/kg) content which were also statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish. The study also showed that the total viable bacterial count was higher in the sun dried fish (6.23 x 105 cfu/g) which was not statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the oven dried fish (5.65 x 105cfu/g), while the fungal count was higher in the oven dried fish (6.55 x 105 cfu/g) which was also not statistically significant (p0.05) when compared to the sun dried fish (5.01 x 105 cfu/g). The findings in this study showed that the locally fabricated oven was remarkably effective, yielding fish with significantly enhanced nutritional profiles and minimal microbial contamination. This approach offers a superior method for fish preservation, providing a promising alternative for improving food safety and nutritional quality
Profiling the biocontrol agents, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and indole acetic acid-producing bacteria in anthill soil
Full text linkDue to the adverse ecological impacts of prolonged and excessive use of agrochemicals, many researchers have called for the adoption of eco-friendly materials in farming. Consequently, the aim of this study is to profile the biocontrol agents, nitrogen-fixing, and indole-acetic-acid-producing bacteria present in anthill soil. Anthill soils and adjacent soils were collected, and their physicochemical properties were analysed using standard analytical methods. Viable bacteria were isolated and screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity using standard biochemical, morphological, and bacteriological methods. The PGP capacity of the isolates was evaluated using standard protocol for nitrogen fixation and indole-acetic-acid production, while antagonistic effect against plant pathogens was evaluated using the disk diffusion assay. Results revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus sp. isolated from the anthill soil demonstrated PGP characteristics including IAA production and nitrogen fixation. Bacillus sp. exhibited zones of clearance with values of 20.00 ± 1.50 mm, 20.00 ± 1.75 mm, 17.00 ± 1.33 mm, and 17.00 ± 1.33 mm against Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma sp., Penicillium sp., and Fusarium sp., respectively. This study demonstrated that anthill soils contain beneficial microbes with the potential to stimulate plant growth and suppress soil-borne plant pathogen
Original Research Article - Acalypha wilkesiana acid extract as a potential green inhibitor for corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium: Thermodynamics and kinetics study
Full text linkThe use of synthetic compounds as corrosion inhibitor is diminishing due to strict environmental regulations and toxic effects of the compounds on human beings and the environment. Consequently, there exists the need to develop a new class of corrosion inhibitors with low toxicity, eco-friendliness and good efficiency. Therefore, this study investigates the inhibitory potential of Acalypha wilkesiana (AWAE) extract on mild steel in 1M HCl using weight loss method. Experiments were performed by varying immersion period, concentration of the inhibitor and temperature. The results obtained showed a decrease in the corrosion rate of mild steel as the extract concentration increases while the inhibition efficiency increases with extract concentration. Effect of temperature on the inhibition efficiency showed an increase in inhibition efficiency with rise in temperature. The adsorption of the inhibitor on the mild steel surface in acid solution was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Calculated thermodynamic parameters revealed that the mechanism of the corrosion inhibition may be due to the chemical adsorption of the phyto-constituents on the surface of mild steel. Kinetic treatment of the data followed a first order reaction and the half-life values of the metal increase with increase in the extract concentration. Preliminary investigation of the phytochemical constituents showed that Acalypha wilkesiana contains tannin, flavonoid, saponin, alkaloid, steroid , terpenoid and some other compounds in trace quantity. FTIR results indicate that AWAE contains O and N atoms in functional groups and aromatic ring which meet the general consideration of a typical corrosion inhibitor
Coconut-based agroecosystem for carbon sequestration
Full text linkCoconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a perennial crop that provides a staple food and serves as a cash crop in many developing countries. Its production is mostly affected by climate, soil and diseases. The threat posed by greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions especially carbon dioxide (CO2) responsible for global warming and climate change, has called for the urgent need to mitigate climate change, by exploring environmental friendly ways to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. The coconut farming and its agroecosystem is one of the ways that could substantially store CO2 through sequestration and will help to reduce the current increase in CO2 present in the atmosphere. Although, coconut plantations have similar characteristics and functions with tropical forests, it has ability to sequester carbon better than tropical forests. Besides coconut farming is improving income and livelihood of farmers, it’s therefore, paramount to utilize the potential of coconut-based agroecosystem for carbon sequestration, and investment opportunity needed for carbon trading, and as well help in climate change adaptation and mitigation plan
H-Index Has More Than Quantity (Publication Productivity) And Quality (Citation Impact) Nomological Dimensions
Full text linkOf all the bibliometric parameters, the h-index is the most widely used to gauge the academic productivity and contribution to disciplines. In 2005, Hirsch proposed the h-index as a robust indicator of the quantity (number of publications) and quality (impact of the citations) of a scientific publication, but this speculation has not been empirically tested. This investigation determined the contributions of quantity and quality dimensions to the prediction of h-index and identify which of the dimension is the most viable in predicting it. The h-index, total number of publications, citation, and co-authorship counts for the 80 medical and health sciences fellows of the African Academy of Sciences were obtained from the Scopus database. The h-index is significantly related to publication (r = .388, p.001), citation (r = .309, p.01) and co-authorship (r = .246, p.05) counts. The three independent variables combined significantly predicted h-index (F (3, 76) = 4.68, p.01, R2 = .156). Although the regression model is a good fit for the data, only 15.6% of the variance in h-index was accounted for by the three bibliometric parameters. Publication count is the only viable predictor, explaining 15.1% out of the 15.6% total variability in the h-index. The remaining 84.4% variance that is unexplained in this study suggests that h-index has more than the quantity and quality nomological dimensions. Follow up studies should explore the predictive viability of other bibliometric measures such as the number of “reads,” book and chapter authorships, invited presentation engagements and conference proceedings
Pharmacognostic study and peptidomic analysis of the leaves of Nigerian Rauvolfia vomitoria Wennberg (Apocynaceae)
Full text linkThis study was aimed at documenting some pharmacognostic and peptidomic standards on the leaf of Nigerian species of Rauvolfia vomitoria Wennberg (RVM). Using standard methods, the fresh and dried pulverized leaves of R. vomitoria were standardized macroscopically and microscopically, in addition to the physiochemical evaluation and MALDI TOF/TOF-guided peptidomic screening of the aqueous extracts of the leaf. The leaf is simple, elliptical shaped, crenated margin which is acute. The leaf presented a hexagonal shaped epidermal cell on both sides with anomocytic stomata only on the abaxial surface making it hypostomatous while stomata number and index are 15 – 16 – 18 and 24 – 25 – 26, respectively. The transverse section of the leaf through the midrib suggests that the vascular bundles are conjoint, collateral and closed. Moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, sulphated ash, water soluble and alcohol soluble extractives were as follows; 7.7 ± 1,5, 4.9 ± 0.7, 1.2 ± 0.8, 4.1 ± 0.2, 4.8 ± 0.9, 3.9 ± 0.9, 8.1 ± 1.7w/w%, respectively. Peptidomic analysis revealed the abundant expression of nature-derived knottin-like peptides with a mass range of 3.1 kDa – 3.7 kDa. Knottin peptides have been reported to perform defense roles in host plants; since they are not ubiquitously distributed in planta, their detection in RVM could be useful in the proper identification of the plant and in RVM chemosystematics.Findings from this study has unveiled some important macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical standards as well as a new peptidomic phytochemical standard helpful in the proper identification in addition to ensuring the efficacy and safety of the leaf of R. vomitoria
Original Research Article - Design and fabrication of a DC pump evaporative cooling system
Full text linkThe design, fabrication and evaluation of an evaporative cooling system was carried out. The system was cabinet was constructed with 1 mm thick aluminum sheets and jute wetted by water flowing by gravity through a series of perforated 25mm diameter pipes from a 60-liter capacity reservoir located at the top of the storage system. The cooler has 4 trays. A 0.5 horse power pump was installed for pumping water to the overhead reservoir. As evaporation took place, the temperature in the system dropped drastically from 24.6 to 30.5°C and the relative humidity in the cooling chamber increased to 97.5% compared to ambient relative humidity value of 58.9%. However, the testing of the evaporative cooling system shows that the tomatoes can be stored for an average of five (5) days with negligible changes in weight, color, firmness and rotting as compared to ambient condition which started rotting after four (4) days. The average cooling efficiency was 87.6%
Beyond Petroleum - Whither Nigeria?
Full text linkOil and Gas (Otherwise known as Petroleum) provide a vital contribution to the Global Energy mix. Economic development and progression are known to be symmetrically linked with increasing hydrocarbon consumption but there is increasing evidence of global demand with attendant impact on alleged global warming and carbon footprint. This has led to a clamour for reduction in hydrocarbon exploration and production operations. The question therefore is: Is there a future for Petroleum? In this paper the question is answered with an emphatic YES. The paper goes further to present appropriate facts and data to support the claim as well as forward-looking statements, particularly those regarding Global/African economic growth, population and productivity growth, energy consumption, energy mix, policy support for gas utilisation and renewable energies, sources of energy supply and growth of hydrocarbon supply.There is increasing gap between global demand and supply especially in developing economies of China, India and in particular Nigeria where increasing economic growth/development, inward consumption by growing modern population, manufacturing industries and energy consumption and current low hydrocarbon recovery factor are identified as the catalysts for the demand outstripping supply. There is evidence that there will be a gap of almost 5million barrels per day between demand and supply in Nigeria by the year 2030 which will inevitably turn Nigeria into an oil importing country if there is no urgent intervention. There is scope/opportunity for aggressive exploration into and production from Deepwater environment and existing mature assets using game changing fit-for-purpose technologies and skilled manpower development supported by forward looking strategic framework enabler policies by Government working with industry the details of which are presented in the paper