International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
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Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen among Blood Donors in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Get PDFHepatitis B which is a necro-inflammatory liver disease of variable severity and continues to be a major health problem worldwide despite efforts to curtail its spread especially in developing countries. Four hundred and fifty (450) consenting blood donors residing in Kaduna state were recruited for this study. Two (2mls) of the donor’s blood was collected and screened for HBsAg using RDT kits. Positive samples were further screened for HBeAg and HBeAb using ELISA kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS (20.0) for statistical significance at p≤0.05. The prevalence obtained for HBsAg among the 450 blood donors was 14.2% with 45.3% being males while 54.7% were females. 26.6% were positive for HBeAg while 15.6% were positive for HBeAb. Age group 17-26 years had the highest prevalence of 37.5%. The finding of this study reflects a pool of individuals who may be highly infectious and serve in sustaining viral transmission and evolution in the study area
Evaluation of Antioxidant Potency, Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Fiscus capensis Leaves (Cape Fig)
Get PDFThe use of medicinal plants all over the world predates the introduction of antibiotics and other modern drugs into Africa as medicinal plants constituents are effective source of natural products. Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antimicrobial analyses were carried out on the leaves extract of Fiscus capensis. It was extracted selectively using water, methanol and ethanol by maceration. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, total phenol and tannins with cardiac glycoside and alkaloid in trace amount. The results of the quantitative analysis revealed that the extracts (aqueous, ethanol, methanol) contains in mg/g; tannins (4.23, 12.84, 23.89), total phenol (144.95, 461.28, 662.30), saponins (4.44, 70.44, 115.04), flavonoids (13.22, 20.94, 84.78) and alkaloids (1.70, 1.82, 2.12) respectively. Antimicrobial analysis was conducted on the ethanol extract and it revealed inhibitory activity against Staphylococus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 250 mg/mL concentration with no inhibition against Escherichia coli. The zone of inhibition of growth produced by the ethanol extract on the selected microorganism at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/mL ranged from 1 – 13 mm. In vitro antioxidants analysis using DPPH at 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 mg/mL revealed methanol extract (IC50 of 90.52 mg/mL). Results obtained from this research have provided preliminary evidence for the use of Fiscus capensis leaves in traditional medicine for treatment of diseases associated to free radicals and microbial infections
Characterization of Watermelon (Citrullus Vulgaris) and Calabash (Lagenaria Vulgaris) Seeds Oil as Potential Feedstock for Biodiesel Production
Get PDFPotential of oilseeds for liquid transport fuel (biodiesel) is based on the knowledge of their oil characterization. In this paper, the proximate composition and oil characteristics of Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) and Calabash (Lagenaria vulgaris) seeds were studied using standard methods and considered alongside their yields to assess their suitability as feedstock for large-scale biodiesel production. The whole seeds were sorted, de-shelled, dried, milled, sieved and oil was extracted from the seeds using Soxhlet extractor with n-hexane. Results show the watermelon and calabash seeds contains total ash 6.70±0.10% and 6.0±1.02%; moisture, 4.00±2.16% and 2.39±0.14%; crude lipid, 41.05±1.30% and 58.0±3.57%; crude protein, 30.63±0.40% and 21.28±2.2%, respectively. The percentage extracted oil yield was found to be 48% and 40.5% for watermelon and calabash seeds respectively. These show that both watermelon and calabash seed have good oil yields and may have potentials for biodiesel production
A Model for Forecasting Inmate Population in Correctional Centres Using Time Series
Get PDFThe rising urge by the government in maintaining law and order to reduce or prevent crime has led to the need to get accurate data on all crimes for assessment. This will guide the government and policy formulators on the status of crime. In this study, a time series model for forecasting prison inmates’ population using data from Idah zonal correctional centre, Kogi State, Nigeria is presented. The result shows a relatively downward trend for awaiting inmate and on average, a linear trend for convicted inmates
Biochemical Characterization of Seed Oil in Sesame and Watermelon for Production of Biodiesel
Get PDFBiochemical characters of seed oil from sesame (Sesanum indicum) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed was carried out using standard physicochemical procedures. Ripe seeds of the two species were dehulled mechanically before extraction. Oil was extracted from the two seeds using n-hexane in a soxhlet extractor, then trans-esterified to biodiesel using single step alkali hydrolysis. The biodiesel so produced was analysed for physicochemical and fuel properties using ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) procedures. The oil extraction was carried out using solvent extraction method. The basic test for suitability of the oil obtained was carried out using transesterification processes. Sesame and watermelon seeds oil was heated to 600C, solution of methoxide (NaOCH3) were also added and stirred continuously for an hour. It was left to settle for 24 hours. The biodiesel was obtained using the separating funnel, separating biodiesel from glycerine. The washed biodiesel was collected into a beaker and gently heated in an oven at 1050C to evaporate the excess water and methanol in the diesel. The result of the test classified the biodiesel within the limits set for biodiesel properties by ISO14214 specification on biodiesel
Effect of Crossability in Improving Some Selected Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.,] Walp) Varieties
Get PDFThe studies on the effect of crossability in improving some selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] walp) varieties(IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) was carried out in the screen, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University. Seeds of three cowpea varieties were sown in a Completely Randomized Design. Pollen viability studies and cytological study were conducted. The result of the study showed that fertile hybrids were produced which were vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many morphological characteristics. Meiotic analysis of parents and F1 hybrids revealed normal meiosis with 11 bivalents and normal viable pollen were found in high percentage ranging from 90% to 98% in both parents and F1 hybrids. It is concluded that fertile hybrids were produced through cross combinations. Hybridization is quantitatively an effective method to improve cowpea genotypes using quantitative traits. This study recommended that hybridization using cowpea varieties with high receptivity for pollen due to high fertility and compatibility could improve local varieties with low pollen contents which will in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties)
Fungal Foliar Pathogens of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum M.) in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Get PDFA study was conducted to identify fungi pathogens associated with diseased leaves of tomato cultivated in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area Kebbi State, Nigeria from March to August, 2019. A total of One hundred (100) diseased leaves samples were collected from five locations namely; Harasawa, Kardi, Makera, Ambursa and Gulumbe of the study area. A total of eight (8) species of fungi namely;Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria porri, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum and Mucor specie were identified from the samples collected using standard methods. From these results obtained Aspergillius niger had the highest frequency of occurrence (30%) followed by A. flavus (20%) while Mucor species had the lowest (2.5%). Based on locations, Ambursa had the highest fungal load 87.5% followed by Gulumbe 62.3% while Harasawa had the lowest 37.5%. The leaves of tomatoes could get infected easily due to the activity of fungal pathogens, there is need to sensitize the farmers regarding the effects of fungal infections on tomato plants and means of obtaining the resistant tomato cultivars so as to minimize the incidence of the disease in the study area
Trend Analysis of Climatic Variables in the Niger Delta Region Nigeria
Get PDFThe study examined climatic trends in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria using 1951-2012 climatic data for five synoptic stations in the region. Rainfall, raindays and mean temperature were selected for this study. Second order polynomial, bivariate linear regression analysis and standardized anomalies were used to investigate the annual trends and deviations of climatic parameters from their respective mean. Correlation coefficient was used to ascertain the statistical significance of the trend, the result showed that annual mean temperature revealed an upward trend since 1951 up to 2012 in the region, the observed upward trend are statistically significant at 99% level of confidence (α ꞊ 0.01) while rainfall and raindays are not statistically significant. The result of the standardized anomalies of annual mean rainfall in the Niger Delta region clearly depicts a fluctuating rainfall pattern while the standardized anomalies of mean temperature indicated warming in the region, showing more positive deviation from the mean. Although statistical evidences were not enough to conclude that there is a climatic change in the region, it can be concluded that there are pieces of evidence of climate change in the Niger Delta region. Therefore, there is the need to develop the knowledge and skill for early warning about whether events, increasing the network of synoptic weather stations in the region so as to have adequate up to date record of climate and weather indicators available and accessible to researchers and the general public for free
Assessment of Genetic Variability of Some Quantitative Traits of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] walp) Varieties
Get PDFThe studies on the assessment of genetic variability of some quantitative traits of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.,] WALP) varieties were conducted at the green house of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Completely Randomized Design was used. The Seeds of the three cowpea varieties (IT87D 941-1, IT97K 499-35 and Dankurmi) were sown in Plastic pots and are arranged in six replications. Variations of selected quantitative traits were studied in three cowpea varieties (IT87D941 - I, IT97K 499 - 35 and Dankurmi) and their F1 and F2 hybrids. The first two varieties are improved varieties which are tall and photo-insensitive. The latter is a local variety which is short and photo-sensitive. There were improvements in quantitative traits of F1 hybrids derived from crosses involving Dankurmi. Highly significant differences were observed in many traits such as height at maturity, number of pods per plants, length of pods per plants, number of seed per pod and leaf area in the F2 population. Positive correlation coefficient was obtained and this will enhance productivity through selection using the two characters positively correlated. It was concluded that hybrid plants were found to be vigorous and intermediate between the parent varieties with respect to many quantitative traits. The seed set data indicated that cross compatibility was lower in crosses involving Dankurmi, which may be due to low pollen content and the high seed set in IT87K 499-35 suggests high receptivity for pollen. This may be due to high fertility and compatibility. This study recommended that cross combination through the use of hybridization would improve the quality and quantity of quantitative traits which would in turn improve the quality and quantity of cowpea genotypes (varieties)
Image Processing Techniques in Computer Vision: An Important Step for Product Visual Inspection
Get PDFHuman experts have been used for decades as visual inspectors for supervising finished product. This was based on the manufactures guidelines and inspectors level of experience. However, human inspection was prone to different errors. Computer vision has excellently been deployed at various level of industrial productions for visual inspection to enhance the quality of the finished product, such as textile, printed circuit boards, electric components, tablets and blisters, labels, fruits, food items, integrated circuits (IC) and machine tools. This paper review the procedure for image processing as the building blocks for computer vision. The paper describes why image processing is important, the steps in image processing and application of image processing techniques in the computer vision system