International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
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Assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Presence in Metal-Rust-Associated Soil from Scrap Dump Sites in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State
Get PDFMetal corrosion, commonly referred to as rusting, poses significant public health risks by contaminating soil and drinking water systems, particularly along metallic pipelines. Previous studies have identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a major contributor to metal deterioration. This study aimed to detect and characterize P. aeruginosa in soil samples collected from a scrap metal dump site in Damba, Gusau, Nigeria. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to evaluate microbial diversity, heavy metal concentrations, and physicochemical parameters such as soil pH and temperature. Bacterial colony enumeration was performed using MacConkey agar, followed by Gram staining, biochemical testing, and molecular characterization for the identification of Pseudomonas species. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The colony-forming units ranged from 8.3 × 10⁷ to 1.78 × 10⁴ CFU/g. A total of 25 Pseudomonas spp. were identified biochemically, of which 5 isolates were further confirmed as P. aeruginosa through molecular techniques. Zinc, cadmium, copper, lead, and chromium were detected in all soil samples, with zinc showing the highest concentration (0.34 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and cadmium the lowest (0.01 ± 0.001 mg/kg). The results indicate that P. aeruginosa plays a significant role in metal corrosion processes. Although heavy metal levels were within acceptable limits of United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), continuous monitoring and implementation of bioremediation strategies using metal-resistant bacteria are recommended to mitigate environmental and public health risks associated with scrap metal dump sites
Analyzing the Impact of Various Indexing Techniques on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Performance in Closed-Domain Question Answering
Get PDFRapid and recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have become the driving force of many Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, revolutionizing tasks such as Question Answering (QA) with the aim of improving human-computer interaction. LLMs have been explored to be capable of predicting reasonably good answers for provided questions using its ability to memorize information seen during training of the model. But to what extent can these models remember training data? Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) augments LLMs with knowledge to avoid relying on their memorization capabilities by combining generative capabilities of LLMs with retrieval-based methods to enhance answer accuracy and relevance of answers. With or without RAG, the aim is to mitigate the generation of plausible but non factual responses by LLMs which is hallucination. RAG has demonstrated significant performance in reducing hallucination and improving accuracy, speed and relevance of LLM generation in QA tasks. This research evaluates how different indexing methods such as BM25, DPR, and hybrid techniques affect RAG system performance in closed-domain QA, examining accuracy of retrieval and generation using performance metrics such as hit rate, precision, faithfulness and f1-score. The study also considers passage length variability and domainspecific adaptation across multiple datasets and domains with the hypothesis that focusing on a single domain can enhance system performance. Experiments are carried out on multiple datasets within both closed and open domains, using pre-trained models. This study explores optimal indexing strategies for RAG systems, balancing accuracy and efficiency. Results show that increasing passage length and retrieved samples improves hit rate and recall but reduces precision. The best performance achieved was 91% Hit-rate@9 and 93% relevancy using the BioASQ dataset
Investigating the Effects of Coronavirus Pandemic on Selected Nigerian Macroeconomic Indicators: An Application of VECM
Get PDFThis research empirically assessed the impacts of CoV-19 on Nigeria's foreign reserves (FR), exchange rate (EXR), and crude oil price (COP) using 593 daily datasets from January 2, 2020 to May 11, 2022. The number of confirmed CoV-19 cases was sourced from World Health Organization, the EXR, FR, and the COP were obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Johansen cointegration test was used and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) adopted in the research. The variance decomposition result reveals that the CoV-19 exhibits a strong endogeneity in both the short and long run but weakly predicts the economic variables. The estimates of the variables speed of adjustments shows that CoV-19, COP, EXR and FR are significant at lag one. The error correction term, shows an adjustment rate of -0.0658 for the target variable CoV-19. The Granger/Wald causality test shows that there is no short run causality from CoV-19 to COP, EXR, and FR. The long run causal relationship indicates CoV-19, COP, EXR, and FR have long run relationship among the variables. Long run casual outcome indicates that crude oil price and foreign reserve are negative and significant at 5% level due to infected CoV-19 cases. While 5% increase in infected cases of CoV-19 pandemic will lead to 0.001897 increase in exchange rate in the future
Application of Two-Stage Stochastic Programming for Multi-Product Inventory Optimization in a Nigerian Pharmaceutical Firm
Get PDFInventory management remains a key challenge in pharmaceutical supply chains, especially in emerging markets like Nigeria. Unpredictable demand, poor infrastructure, and limited budgets often cause stock imbalances. Traditional inventory models work well in stable environments but struggle to manage demand and lead time uncertainties. This study uses a two-stage stochastic programming model to improve multi-product inventory management for Miracle Kudura Pharmacy, a Nigerian retail and wholesale distributor. Based on 37 months of sales, holding, and ordering cost data for over 100 products, the model incorporates uncertainty through probability distributions grounded in real figures. In the first stage, it sets preliminary order quantities without knowing actual demand. In the second, it updates these quantities as actual demand becomes clear. The initial stage reduced inventory costs to ₦1,224,000, demonstrating cost-effective efficiency. The second stage, however, reported a total cost of ₦1,435,000, showing a trade-off between cost savings and flexibility. Sensitivity analysis revealed that demand for products such as Clarten and Postinor varied widely, while items like Tribotan were more stable. These findings highlight the importance of stochastic models in managing costs, service levels, and risks which are crucial factors in pharmaceuticals where shortages impact public health. Overall, the study highlights how stochastic optimization offers practical, adaptable solutions for managing pharmaceutical inventory in resource-constrained environments
Comparative Antimicrobial Evaluation of Acacia macrostachya Fractions against Selected Pathogens
Get PDFThe rising resistance of microorganisms to current antibiotics has intensified the need for new antimicrobial agents, predominantly from natural sources. Acacia macrostachya, a medicinal plant widely used in African traditional medicine, has been used to treat various ailments such as diarrhea, malaria with convulsions, snake bites, dysentery, inflammatory conditions, stomach cramps, uterine fibroids, and parasitic infections. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Acacia macrostachya fractions against selected pathogens with the objective of identifying the most potent fraction and validating the plant's traditional use. The N-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts from the leaves of Acacia macrostachya were subjected to antimicrobial screening against Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton rubrum using agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. Susceptibility test results showed that most fractions demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity, except for the N-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions at the lowest concentration (25 mg/mL) against Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the ethyl acetate and methanol fractions ranged from 11–20 mg/mL and 17–27 mg/mL, respectively, against bacterial pathogens, and from 6–19 mg/mL against fungal pathogens. The Minimum Bactericidal/Fungicidal Concentration (MBC/MFC) of the N-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions was found to be 0.2 mg/mL, and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively. These results suggest that the methanol fraction possessed the most significant antimicrobial activity among the fractions tested against the pathogens
The Impact of ICT in Youth Economic Empowerment and Job Creation in Zamfara West Senatorial District, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on youth economic empowerment and job creation in Zamfara West Senatorial District, Zamfara State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Data were collected through closed ended questionnaire instrument and administered to 540 youths across the six local government areas in the senatorial district which 497 questionnaires were returned correctly. Simple random sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistical illustrators such as: tabulations, frequency distribution and percentage were used for statistical analysis. Findings from demographic analysis revealed that 83.7% of respondents were male, while 16.3% were female. Most respondents (42.05%) were aged 18-24 years, with 53.92% having primary or secondary education. Employment status indicated that 43.66% were entrepreneurs, 35.21% employed and 21.13% students. ICT knowledge levels showed that 43.86% had average knowledge, 36.02% fair knowledge, 15.89% perfect knowledge and only 4.23% had no knowledge of ICT. Perceptions on ICT's contribution to youth empowerment indicated overwhelming agreement, with 68.61% strongly agreeing that ICT provides business opportunities and 64.59% agreeing that it enhances creativity and knowledge. Job creation opportunities included mobile phone sales (71.43%), repairs (72.03%), graphic design and internet services (62.78%) and application development (33.6% strongly agree; 62.78% agree). Challenges included lack of electricity (56.94%), poor internet connectivity (26.56%) and lack of funding (6.44%). The study concludes that ICT significantly contributes to economic empowerment and job creation but requires interventions such as improved power supply, training and affordable ICT tools to maximize its benefits
Targeting Mineralization Zones Using Aeromagnetic data over Gusau and its Environs, Northwestern Nigeria
Get PDFThis study area is bounded by Latitude 12o 00″ N to 12o 30″ N and longitude 6o30″ E to 7o 00″ E with an estimated area of 55 square km2. The region is predominantly underlain by the Migmatite–Gneiss Complex, with associated intrusive granites that complicate structural interpretation and mineral targeting. The present research used aeromagnetic interpretation to delineate potential mineralization zones in the area. High-resolution aeromagnetic data of the study area were processed using OASIS Montaj software version 8.4 to produce magnetic intensity maps, along with other edge detection techniques: tilt derivative, total horizontal gradient and lineament map. The result shows that the magnetic anomalies across the study area ranges from –43.0 nT to 74.0 nT. These edge detection filters identified structural features such as faults, fractures, dikes and sills which could save as pathways for mineralizing fluids. These structurally controlled zones can be indicative of promising deposits of gold, banded iron formations (BIF), chromite, chamovite, and kaolin which are found mostly by artisanal miners in the area. The study demonstrates application of aeromagnetic data in as a mapping technique that provides a reliable and cost-effective framework for targeting mineralization zones and guiding future exploration in Damba and its surrounding areas.
 
Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of Guiera Senegalensis Leaves Extract Obtained from Yabo Community in Sokoto State, Nigeria
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern that causes numerous fatalities Worldwide. There is an urgent need to produce new drugs that will help address the issue of antimicrobial resistance. G. senegalensis, popularly known as “Sabara” in Hausa, is a shrub/ small tree that grows up to 5m. The plant was used as a source of medicine for the rural populace to cure illnesses. This research aims to investigate the antimicrobial properties of G. senegalensis against some selected bacterial and fungal isolates. The plant was collected from Yabo LGA, Sokoto State. The leaves were washed with distilled water, shade-dried, and ground into a fine powder. Five hundred grams of powdered G. senegalensis leaves were macerated with solvents in the ratio of 1:5, the solvents were evaporated at 45oC. The extract's phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties were assessed using a standard procedure. The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins, steroids, and saponins. The average zone of inhibition for the bacterial and fungal isolates was between 6.58±1.79 and 15.67±1.45mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is as follows: S. dysenteriea 0.1mg/ml, S. aureus and E coli 0.05 mg/ml, S. typhi 0.025mg/ml, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.1mg/ml. For the fungal, the MIC was found to be 0.025mg/ml and MFC 0.05mg/ml. The results indicated that G. senegalensis is effectively used in traditional medical systems and could be used as a source of medicine to treat numerous microbial diseases
An Analytical Solution for the Steady-State Free Convection Flow of a Nanofluid in a Vertical Channel
Get PDFThis research analysed the steady-state free convection flow of a nanofluid in a vertical channel analytically. The nanofluid model used here include the effects of Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis. The solutions for the velocity, temperature and nanoparticle concentration profiles were obtained analytically using separation of variables and integral techniques. Nusselt and Sherwood numbers at the left wall of the channel were determined and discussed in detail. It is observed that the velocity decreases at the hot wall and increases at the cold wall due to increasing Prandtl number parameter. The same behaviour is noticed in the case of the buoyancy ratio, Grashof number, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion parameters. Furthermore, a numerical solution is also obtained and compared with the analytical solution
Integrating Mobile Technology in Higher Education: A Smart Solution for Academic Records and Student Engagement
Get PDFThe rapid advancement of mobile technology has significantly influenced higher education by offering innovative solutions for academic record management, communication, and student engagement. This study presents the design, development, and implementation of a mobile-based Academic Management System (AMS) tailored for Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda. The proposed system consolidates essential academic services—such as student profiles, grade records, digital lecture content, and real-time notifications—into a unified mobile platform. A user-centered design methodology was adopted, involving iterative usability testing and structured student feedback to enhance the system's functionality and interface. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in students' access to academic information, institutional communication efficiency, and overall engagement levels. This research contributes to the expanding discourse on mobile learning technologies, emphasizing the transformative potential of digital systems in enhancing academic administration and student-centered services in Nigerian tertiary institutions